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3 Oct 2019
DAVY RISES ABOVE HATERS
URE INSIDE 11 PAGE FEAT
Fitzgerald addresses web trolls and Loughnane as he launches Clare’s Fittest Superstars event PÁRAIC McMAHON
D
paraic@clareecho.ie
l SEASIDE DELIGHTS: Elsie and Cara McDonald at the Seashore Foraging event in Lahinch as part of the Clare Food & Drinks Fleadh last Sunday Photo by Mike Mulcaire
AVY Fitzgerald has described online trolls as “nobodys” in a wide-ranging interview with The Clare Echo as he launches Clare’s Fittest Superstars. The returning Wexford manager also admitted he feels sorry for retired hurling boss Ger Loughnane, addressing a written verbal attack aimed at Davy and his father Pat Fitzgerald in a recent column in an edition of the Irish Daily Star. Davy made the comments
as he prepares to host Clare’s Fittest Superstars on December 8 at The Showgrounds in Ennis in aid of Sláinte an Chláir, an event which challenges local teams of four to take on his toughest obstacle course yet. Responding to the newspaper article written by Loughnane, the Sixmilebridge man said, “I recognise that Ger Loughnane helped us achieve an All-Ireland after 81 years, I’ll always respect that but I actually feel sorry for him at the moment. “I don’t think he is up to scratch and I don’t think he has Clare interests at heart, there is way more behind that as we have seen over the past couple of years. Clare isn’t to the forefront of his mind. I feel sorry that he has lost what he had.”
Full story Page 14-15
2 NEWS
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Index NEWS
2-17
DAVY FITZGERALD
14-15
AOIBHIN GARRIHY
18-19
ENTERTAINMENT
20-21
ROAD SAFETY WEEK 22-23 CHRISTMAS PARTIES 27-38 BUSINESS
40-43
PROPERTY
44-49
The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021
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Email: ger.naughton@clareecho.ie or niall@clareecho.ie
Clare’s Older Volunteer of the Year is revealed STUART HOLLY
S
editor@clareecho.ie
HANNON volunteer Derek Clune has been named the 2019 winner of the Clare Older People’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Some 180 people gathered on Tuesday in Hotel Woodstock for the announcement which also coincides with National Positive Ageing Week. The function was hosted by the Clare Older People’s Council and supported by Clare County Council. 21 community volunteers were nominated for this year’s award. Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council, presented Derek Clune with an engraved glass trophy as well as a hotel break for two. Derek’s involvement in the community is threefold in a voluntary capacity as Chairman of Cronan Residents Asso-
ciation, Secretary of Shannon Tidy Towns and Secretary of the Mens Shed. Derek organised Shannon’s participation in the Pride of Place Competition in 2018 when Shannon won first prize in its category. He volunteers with Shannon Musical Society, Wolfe Tones na Sionna, Primary Schools and Shannon Leisure Centre. Addressing those in attendance, Deputy Mayor of Clare Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy spoke of the importance of voluntary work to local communities and of how such work contributes to the resolution of challenges faced by those communities. One of the keynote speakers, Mary Cronin, Chair of the National Older People’s Council, spoke about participation in volunteering as a way of alleviating loneliness and isolation. The other keynote speaker, Kay Murphy, President of Active Retirement, spoke of the importance of staying active and engaged with voluntary
lCOMMUNITY MAN: Derek gets his award from Pat Dowling and Dep Mayor Clare Colleran Molloy Photo by Eamon Ward
community groups and also on the importance of the interaction between the Older People’s Council and the local authority to influence policy and ensure that the voice of the older person is heard. Pat Dowling congratulated the winner and all the nominees, who received a framed certificate of recognition for the fact that they had been
nominated by their communities. Mr. Dowling also praised the organisers of the event, Clare Older People’s Council and commented on how important the work of the Clare Older People’s Council is to the development of Age Friendly policies and practices within the County itself as the demographic changes and the number of older people increases.
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4 NEWS
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Actions of Quin’s John Wall forces review of Terminal Illness Card PÁRAIC McMAHON
Q
paraic@clareecho.ie
UIN cancer campaigner, John Wall has received a commitment from the Minister for Health to review the Terminal Illness Card. In July, John went public detailing how he has had his medical card revoked twice since receiving a terminal diagnosis two years previously. Following on from this, he requested a meeting with Minister for Health, Simon Harris to discuss his experience in an attempt to resolve “this appalling mess”. On Monday, John met Minister Harris along with senior representatives from the Department of Health, Primary Care Reimbursement Service and the HSE. The meeting lasted well over an hour and he received a full apology from the Department and the HSE regarding his experience with the medical card scandal. During the discussions, Harris pledged to establish a review group to ensure what happened to John is not repeated. The application process and patient communications are to be reviewed as part of this with the aim of creating a more streamlined experience. This group which will be in place before the end of November will be comprised of Department officials,
representatives from dif- a patients perspective”. “Overall it was a very proferent NGOs including the Irish Cancer Society, Marie ductive meeting that met Keating Foundation and Mr expectations and will lead to significant change, which Wall. Speaking to The Clare will in turn lead to a signifEcho, John described as “significant” the commitment to review The Te r m i nal Illness Card “with specific reference to the current necessity to have a prognosis of 12 months or less left to live”. “I have c a m paigned for this period to be significantly extended as lMAKING A DIFFERENCE: Quin native Photo by John Mangan it is my firm John Wall belief that terminal patients should be icant overhaul of The Medentitled to a terminal illness ical Card System and the card without the current associated application prolimitation attached. Of note cess. I very much look foris that once approved this ward to working alongside type of card will never be the various Government reviewed nor ever expire,” Departments for some time he stated. to come and very much Separately, John will be welcome The Minister’s inworking side by side with tervention, commitment The National Cancer Con- and time on issues that have trol Programme as a patient personally become very imrepresentatives which he portant to resolve and as a said will give him “a plat- result of today’s meeting, form to influence The Na- am confident they will be,” tional Cancer Strategy from the father of two added.
OUT AND ABOUT IN CLARE...
lGREAT NIGHT OUT: Stephen and his brother Dale Collins and Shannon Doyle, Tipperary enjoying The Outing Festival, the Worlds Only LGBT Matchmaking & Music Festival at The Inn at Dromoland at the weekend Photo by Eamon Ward
6 NEWS
No evidence of horses causing havoc in Ennis evidence of horse activity on the road”. Where there is a possible danger to the public due to the presence of horses on a road, An Garda Síochána “ordinarily advise” the Council but Flynn said they have received “no such reports”. Howard outlined she was not satisfied with the reply and that residents wouldn’t be either. The Fine Gael councillor informed the meeting the contents of emails she had received from concerned residents which said that horses had been “grazing on Council land” three times in the space of four days. “Apart from the danger to the public, the mare could die of exhaustion. Are the Council waiting for a death to occur before they take action”. She added, “One Monday morning at 1am a horse was being chased by a dog,” along this stretch of road. Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Clare Col-
PÁRAIC McMAHON
T
paraic@clareecho.ie
HERE is no evidence of horse activity or horses on the Kilrush Rd following six separate investigations carried out by Clare County Council despite a local representative stating they were “causing havoc” on the busy road. Cllr Mary Howard demanded the local authority to use its powers under The Control of Horses Act “to remove the horses which are causing havoc on the Kilrush Rd”, in a motion to the September meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. Chief Veterinary Officer, Padraic Flynn confirmed they had carried out six separate investigations in a two week window during August. “On each of these inspections, there were no horses on the road nor was there
leran Molloy who lives in close proximity to the Kilrush Rd revealed, “I have not witnessed what it relayed in those emails. The inspections didn’t yield any evidence of horses being on the road”. She enquired if the residents could contact the Council if they see horses on the Kilrush Rd to which Cllr Howard replied, “They have been contacting the Gardaí immediately”. Her comments were disputed by Colleran Molloy, “The reply says there has been no contact with Gardaí”. She added, “I have not seen horses on the road but I have seen them on land which is not belonging to the owners”. Senior executive officer, Leonore O’Neill clarified, “When horses are on public land, the Council are notified, when they are a danger to the public, it is
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SPEEDING cyclists have prompted the call for traffic calming strips in Cratloe. An examination of the lower section of Gallows Hill Rd adjacent to Walsh’s Cross is to be carried out to determine what measures “might be appropriate to calm traffic”. Senior executive engineer Aidan O’Rourke made the comments at the September meeting of the Shannon Mun District in response to a request from Cllr PJ Ryan (IND). Ryan outlined, “There has been a couple of accidents there.” Having received “numerous representations” in relation to the stretch of road, Cllr Ryan flagged that locals are concerned with the speed cyclists are travelling at. “A particular lady told me that two bicycles overtook here coming down Gallows Hill. People travelling on bikes told me they could achieve speeds over 40km/hr plus”. A member of the County Council since 2004, Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) in seconding the motion revealed “It was a first for me that I was asked to bring it up and asked to come with measures to to reduce cyclists speed”. Crowe added, “You couldn’t make it up”.
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An Garda Síochána that are contacted, on private land they are the responsibility of the owner”. She flagged that any complaints relating to the issue should be sent to the environmental section of the local authority. It is not the first time animals have caused controversy at this particular side of Ennis. In April 2018, 22 feral goats began roaming the roads unsupervised leading to ‘unacceptable disturbance’ as members of the Ennis MD stated at the time.
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
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RETAIL Excellence, the largest retail industry representative organization in Ireland, will announce the Friendliest Place winner at a black-tie Awards banquet on Saturday, November 9th in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, County Kerry at the AIB Merchant Services Retail Excellence Awards 2019. Ennis has been announced as one of five finalists having passed through a rigorous auditing process when Ennis based retailers were assessed by mystery shoppers testing service standards in the town. The Friendliest Place competition is the central part of the Retail Excellence Annual Awards, which were established in 1997 to promote best practice and encourage the highest standards in the Irish Retail Industry. They are now the largest and most prestigious of their kind in Ireland. Former “Friendliest Place” Winners include Ennis and Navan, County Meath. David Fitzsimons, Group Chief Executive of Retail Excellence commented “All five finalist places have beaten intense competition to make finalist status. County Councils have nominated local retail businesses who have all been assessed regarding their friendliness. These five places have proven they have the customer at the heart of everything they do.” “All of the Retail Excellence team are busy building the best event possible because our industry deserves ample recognition for the work they do in every village, town and city in Ireland in developing standards in the industry, keeping retail workers in jobs and our town centres vibrant.”
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THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Ennis named Ireland's tidiest large town as Clare cleans up at awards PÁRAIC McMAHON
E
paraic@clareecho.ie
NNIS was one of the big winners in the 2019 Tidy Towns Awards which took place on Monday. For the third time in four years, Ennis was named as Ireland’s tidiest large urban centre. The county capital also received a Gold Medal along with Kilrush. Bronze medals were awarded to Ballyvaughan, Ballynacally, Mountshannon and Quin. Corofin, Ennistymon and Spanish Point were also recognised. At the 61st awards ceremony, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring announced a special allocation of €1.4m to assist Tidy Towns committees. He praised SuperValu for sponsoring the competition for a twenty eighth year in which a record 918 entries were submitted. Despite wide-spread concerns over the lack of facilities in parts of the country, the Minister told an excited audience at The Helix that the best of Ireland is showcased every week on RTÉ’s Nationwide. “We have a wonderful Ireland and a wonderful rural
lWELL DESERVED NIGHT OUT: Happy Tidy Towners from Ennis, Quin and Corofin at the awards ceremony in Dublin earlier this week Photo courtesy Mary Howard
Ireland and I’m glad Nationwide show it every week”.
Glaslough (Wicklow) won the overall award of Ireland’s tidiest town, Westport
(Mayo) received the tidiest large town accolade with Blackrock (Louth) getting the small town equivalent. Ennis beat off competition from Kilkenny City and Ballincollig (Cork) to claim the tidiest large urban centre award. Adjudicators acknowledged the work being carried out around to town to assist Ennis in claiming this success. “A lot of hard work and commitment has gone into this achievement, a visit to the town at any time of the year is a pleasure. “There are few towns where the central core is as vibrant with modern and traditional shops operating side by side. The effort to enhance the town and use open spaces and areas for decoration and planting is a great success. The sculpture trail around many large and small works of art is a great idea, the areas around churches and the care of old buildings great and small is impressive. The river is at the heart of Ennis and it provides a wonderful amenity which is visually enhanced by the work of Tidy Towns. Approach roads, housing estates, private parking, shops, offices and other commercial amenity buildings are working with the Tidy Towns in the efforts to make this town a winner”. In total, there were forty Clare entrants and all improved on their 2018 markings.
Exciting Mental Health Week Programme launched in Ennis
l MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES: At the Mental Health Week launch were Cllr. Mary Howard, Sean Conlan, Maria Molloy, Sharon Maxwell, Cllr. Ann Norton, Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Una Cahill and Gerry Woulfe Photo by John Mangan ENNIS Mental Health Association this week launched its programme of events for Mental Health Week which this year takes place from 7-11 October. Speaking at the launch at SONAS in Chapel Lane on Wednesday night Cllr Ann Norton, Deputy Mayor of Ennis congratulated EMHA on the exciting and diverse programme on offer. Referring to mental health as a major concern for our communities she encouraged everyone to become involved in the activities and talks planned for Mental Health Week. Mental Health Week in Ennis was a chance, she said, to experience new opportunities and activities which could bring about a genuine improvement in the quality of life and health of participants. The programme commences in advance of the official week on the evening of October 3 with Maureen Griffin and Martin Moloney on the very relevant issue of Social Media, Young People and Mental Health. Monday, October 7 begins the week with Mindful Gentle Flow Yoga with Seema Daly and is followed by an information session on the national mental health and wellbeing campaigns with Michael Collins from the office of suicide prevention. The brochure of events will be widely available in shops in Ennis and surrounding areas.
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10 NEWS
Crowe set to front 2fm show Game On PÁRAIC McMAHON
S
paraic@clareecho.ie
IXMILEBRIDGE'S Marie Crowe is now fronting a revamped 'Game On' alongside Ruby Walsh and Donncha O'Callaghan. RTÉ 2FM's weekly sports show is now doubling in size with an extra hour added to the show as it airs from 6pm to 8pm Monday to Friday. O'Callaghan, the holder of 94 Irish caps and the winner of three Triple Crowns, one Grand Slam plus two Heineken Cups with Munster, is a fresh face to the show as is twelve-time Irish Champion jockey Ruby Walsh who in May called time on a glittering career which included riding over 2,500 winners. lTOP TEAM: Presenter and Sixmilebridge native Marie Crowe alongside her co-hosts A daughter of Tim and Bernie, Marie is one Donncha O'Callaghan and Rugby Walsh of six children from the sports mad Crowe family. Her youngest brother Timmy is a former Irish sprinter, with her father currently peared in The Sunday Independent with Ma- with RTÉ leading to her latest promotion. manages the Sixmilebridge senior hurlers rie's reputation as a sports journalist soaring In the first two shows of the new-look who play Cratloe in the Clare SHC final next during this period. She was one of the main Game On, guests included Irish soccer manweekend. sports presenters on the short-lived UTV Ire- ager Mick McCarthy and All-Ireland winSince May 2008, her work has regularly ap- land and in recent years has started reporting ning Dublin footballer Jack McCaffrey.
Site of old Our Ladies back on the market... ONCE again, the site that was previously Our Lady’s Hospital in Ennis is for sale, reports Páraic McMahon. DNG O’Sullivan Hurley have put the property on the market for €850,000, the 16.65 acre site is located on the Gort Rd. This is the third time it has been up for sale since 2015 when it was valued at €1.25m, in March of 2018 it sold at an online auction for €750,000. It consists of a detached three storey over basement former hospital facility completed in 1868 and extended lON THE MARKET: The historic Gort Road site to the rear in 1900. Under the Clare County failing in their bid to reignite such plans Development Plan 20172023, the area is zoned for commercial last year. Redeveloping Our Lady’s is listed as use. Planning was previously granted for the one of the key objectives for Ennis as part construction of a healthcare facility there of the Draft Regional Spatial and Econombut it expired in February of last year. ic Strategy (RSES) which has been comDuesbury Ltd back in 2013 received the piled by the Southern Regional Assembly green light for the development, subject with aspires to complete the task as part to 23 conditions, with JJ Enterprises Ltd of the National Planning Framework.
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Record trolley numbers UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick recorded the highest amount of patients on trolleys ever witnessed at an Irish hospital on Wednesday. Eighty two patients were without a bed at UHL on Wednesday morning according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). Forty seven of the patients without a bed were in the emergency department and 35 were in different wards around the hospital. General Secretary of the INMO, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said, “The situation is escalating beyond crisis point and cannot be allowed to continue. We are calling on the Minister to intervene directly. He needs to instruct the hospital to cancel electives, provide emergency funding, and increase the number of home care packages today. “Promises of future improvement will not suffice. Real action is needed today. We have been saying this on repeat for more than a decade. Ireland does not have sufficient hospital capacity. Without an increase in beds and the professionals to staff them, this problem will escalate”. Across the country, there were 556 patients without beds, the other worst-hit hospitals included Cork University Hospital (55) and University Hospital Galway (42).
12 CLARE FOOD & DRINKS FLEADH
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
l TASTY EVENT: The Clare Food & Drinks Fleadh was a huge success. Pictured enjoying festivities (clockwise from above); Aisling Weston (4th from left) winner in the Junior Baking contest, is pictured with parents Richard and Catriona Weston and friends Nicola Meere, Caroline Owens, Erlan Bradley and Conor Owens; Alannah O’Leary was a winner at the first Junior Baker Awards; Junior Chef & Junior Baker competition judges Martin Landy and Donna Flanagan had to give lots of time to finding their winners; People gather for The Community Harvest Lunch at glór, prepared by guest chef Paudie Guerin All photos by Mike Mulcaire l TREATS GALORE: (below) Knox’s serving up ‘Sessions with Sides’; (above) 14 bars competed for the honour of best gin cocktail but there could only be one winner, Keegan Drohan at Brogan’s; (top) Clodagh McCabe, Donna Flanagan of Deluxe Bakery and Aoife Maher enjoying the cake at Willow, as part of Eat My Shop Food All photos by Mike Mulcaire Trail
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Moloney not only one interested in Clare hurling job PÁRAIC McMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie
DONAL Moloney is the only candidate to have put his name forward for the vacant post of Clare senior hurling manager but other personnel have expressed an interest in the role. Clare GAA are confident club delegates will be ratifying management teams for the senior, minor and U20 hurling along with the U20 football at their October meeting which is due to take place in the next fortnight. Speaking to The Clare Echo on Wednesday, County Board Chairman Joe Cooney outlined, “We’re working on filling all three positions at the moment, we are interviewing different management teams and we’d be hoping to have something in place for the next County Board meeting”. The Clare County Board stated at their September sitting that they would provide more information to delegates at the October gathering and Cooney confirmed this is the deadline by which they hope to have the appointments completed for, no date has been set as of yet for this meeting. When asked if candidates other than Donal Moloney had expressed an interest in the senior job, Cooney replied, “There is other names there, we are doing interviews at the moment and there is a couple
of names involved, whether they will still leave their name in the race or not we don’t know but at the moment we’re exploring other options and hopefully that will all be completed by the weekend”. Cooney was not aware of comments made by members of Moloney’s backroom team who publicly described the process as “disrespectful”. “We have been talking to Donal on a number of occasions over the last month, we have sat down with him on two occasions and we have explained the process we are taking at the moment”. The Clare Echo understands that Donal presented his management team and plan for the coming year to the Chairman and County Secretary, three weeks ago to which he has received no definite response. Of Moloney’s potential competitors, Joe commented, “The other ones are just looking at options, they haven’t come back yet to put their name forward so we won’t be giving any names at the moment. Donal is the only one that has made it clear that he is interested in the job. Whatever the position will be will be known at the next County Board meeting”. Current U20 boss Sean Doyle and minor manager Fergal Lynch have also spoken with the Chairman. “I’ve been talking to both of them and we’d be hoping that by the weekend they will know their positions as well. We have been talking to both of those managements as well”.
l SUPPORT: Members of Donal Moloney's 2019 backroom team have come out in support of Clare's outgoing joint manager, describing the selection process as disrespectful to him Photo by Martin Connolly
NEWS 13
14 NEWS
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
'Everyone in life should have hope' says Fitzgerald
Davy ready to raise funds for Sláinte An Chláir PÁRAIC McMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie
P
ERCEPTIONS that individuals need to lessen their physical activity as they age needs to be put to bed, according to Davy Fitzgerald who in a wide-ranging interview with The Clare Echo revealed he is a ‘big softie’ that is dealing with criticism in a different way as he gets older and preparing for a major life event. His company Fittest Superstars is hosting Clare’s Fittest Superstars on December 8 at The Showgrounds in Ennis in aid of Sláinte an Chláir, an event like no other and which The Clare Echo is “delighted to be official media partner for,” Editor Stuart Holly stated. Having known people that availed of services at Sláinte an Chláir, the Sixmilebridge man is eager to make the upcoming event a success. “I’ve seen the help Sláinte an Chláir has given people, one or two people who have unfortunately passed away that have been big influences in my life. Sláinte an Chláir are a voluntary organisation but when I see exactly what they do and how they help people on such a limited budget, cancer affects so many people that we don’t even know about so I said if we can do this I’ll do everything I can to promote it and help run it”. All funds raised except the setting up costs will go towards the cancer support organisation. “I want to make them as much money as I can to help them give the people that come here a better service and if it can help them, that’s brilliant. It’s something that has overcome me since we started talking about it, we’ve had a load of meetings already and we are continuing to have them, I just hope people get behind it and support it”. Teams of four can partake in Clare’s Fittest Superstars at a cost of €1,000 or €250 per person which Fitzgerald pointed out requires them to get €25 off 10 different people with a collection card. He is hopeful they will raise between €50,000 and €80,000. Getting insurance for events ran by Fittest Superstars “is off the Richter scale” he admitted but said seeing the sense of achievement from personnel upon completing the course is one of the highlights. “When people get older they say to themselves I can’t do anything like
that, life is there to be lived and we've got to do it, put yourself out there. We are not going to put anyone under massive pressure but we will help them to achieve going around that course no matter what the story is”. The 2013 All-Ireland winning hurling manager expects between 24 to 28 obstacles to be in place. “It is going to be starting indoors, going outdoors and finishing indoors; it’s for the right cause and I want people to enjoy it. A small bit of fitness for everyone is no harm, to get out there and do something is good for the mind, for the months of October and end of November it is giving them a cause to be ready for December which I’m excited about. I’d like to thank The Showgrounds, they’ve been very accommodating which is great”. This will not be the first or last time Davy has been involved in a charitable event. This summer he received plaudits following the airing of ‘When Davy Met Michael’, it is one of the many regular good deeds he has carried out. “I hate seeing people in a bad way or down, the biggest thing I have in life is that everyone should have hope. “While you have your health, you need to enjoy it and if you can help anyone else feel a bit better, do it." Now two years in operation, Fittest Superstars is a spin-off to the TV format Fittest Families he created along with James Sexton. The question is put to him that the business could represent a possible ending of the RTÉ series but he referred to rising audiences ahead of the upcoming seventh series as a sign of its strong health. “When we originally got it through they said if we got one to two years we’d be doing well but because the figures are so high and so good we’ve got seven, if it will get more I don’t know but I do know the last two years have been the best two figures wise so hopefully it will keep going. I just finished filming the other day for this year." Type begrudgery into Google and ‘in Ireland’ is the fourth highest result, a culture shift is needed in this regard or so Davy felt. “Believe it or not, I’d be very soft at heart, I find it very hard to see people down, I don’t like it. I am strong minded, I have big opinions but at the end of the day I don’t like seeing people sick or with no hope, I always believe in hope and I’d like to think I am a positive per-
l GETTING BEHIND A BRILLIANT CAUSE: Davy Fitzgerald launches Clare's Fittest Superstars at the Sláinte An Chláir cancer support centre in Kilnamona and (below) the Wexford senior hurling manager sits down with Páriac McMahon of The Clare Echo for an in-depth interview Photo by Paschal Brooks
son who gives off positive energy. I hate people that are negative, ‘oh the Clare team is playing this way or the Wexford team is playing this way’, it doesn’t matter, everyone should be allowed do what they want to do. The hurlers on the ditch go to a match and enjoy it, if you’re not happy with it that’s fine but just leave it there, you don’t need to get nasty. "In Ireland, we need to get rid of this culture where everything is a problem, any day that you’re alive and that you can get up, do that and take care of our business as good as we can. I’ve enough problems in my own life without getting involved in anyone else’s”. Later this week, he will tie the knot with his long-term partner Sharon O’Loughlin from Clarecastle. He denied that he has become
a bridezilla for the big day but said that they are very much looking
forward to the day and spending the rest of their lives together.
NEWS 15
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
'I don't feel badness towards Loughnane' PÁRAIC McMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie
D
AVY Fitzgerald has said he feels sorry for Ger Loughnane and that he has discovered the identity of online trolls who he described as “nobodys”. On Thursday last, Fitzgerald confirmed he would be returning as Wexford manager for a further two years as the Leinster champions begin their recovery from this year’s devastating one point All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary. As he returns to the Yellow Bellies, there is of course the possibility they will face off with Clare in the All-Ireland championship. It reminds him of their quarter-final meeting last year which he recounted as being very difficult. “My heart is always Clare because I’m a Clare man, the day I had to stand on the sideline when Clare played Wexford was one of the toughest
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The amount of good people who have come up and thanked me for what I've done for Clare, I appreciate that
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days ever. There was a few people behind me giving me a tough time, I played for twenty years and I managed for another five, that’s a fair chunk of my life to give and that would have disappointed me a little bit,” he said of their actions. This year following his success with Wexford, there has been more positive outbursts from Clare people. “The amount of good people that have come up to me and
thanked me for what I’ve done for Clare, I appreciate that and I know you have people on social media out there and they are nobodys, they like to think they are somebodys but they are nobodys, when you find out who they are you start laughing thinking, do these guys actually have an opinion, I find it very funny. “I often say it to my Dad who has taken unbelievable stick, I’ve seen different county secretaries work and I’ve never seen a more honest guy, I’m so delighted that he has been secretary for the most successful time in Clare’s history ever. While I was with Clare, we fought non-stop because he is a very passionate man, very down the middle and I’m certain he is one of the best things that ever happened Clare, it just hurts a bit when people are writing stuff for their own agenda, when they write stuff about Dad they are not doing it for Clare I can promise you”. His former manager, Ger Loughnane, the man behind Clare’s dominance in the '90s recently hit out at both Davy and his father Pat. Writing in his column for The Irish Daily Star, Loughnane said predictions that Clare would dominate this hurling decade have come undone largely due to the Fitzgeralds who called the situation “septic”. “To me, the problem lies with the Fitzgeralds – Pat and Davy. Pat has been the main man in the County Board for a long long time and he’s done plenty of good work in the past and is still doing good things. But I think he’s been there too long and has too much power”. The Feakle native saw the possibility of Davy returning to the Clare job in the future. When asked by The Clare Echo what went through his head when he heard of Loughnane’s criticism, Davy outlined his belief that the intentions of ex RTÉ analyst are not genuine. “I recognise that Ger Loughnane helped us achieve an All-Ireland after 81 years, I’ll always respect that but I actually feel sorry for him at the moment, I don’t think he is up to scratch and I don’t think he has Clare interests at heart, there is way more behind that as we have seen over the past couple of years, Clare isn’t to the forefront of his mind. I feel sorry that he has lost what he had”. “For him to write something like that, I feel sorry for him, I don’t feel any badness towards him, for him to resort to stuff like that when it’s completely the opposite and he had the loyalty of the Clare County Board which backed him to the hilt. It’s sad to see him gone that way, maybe he is out of touch completely with things that are happening, I think he probably is to tell you the truth. Ger doesn’t bother me one way or the other, I’m just disappointed because my Dad absolutely idolised him but I think enough of people see through it."
l BUTTING HEADS: Davy Fitzgerald and his former Clare hurling boss Ger Loughnane in discussion. Loughnane recently hit out at Davy and his father Pat, Clare GAA County Secretary, in his weekly column for The Irish Daily Star Photo by Eamon Ward
16 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Ronan Scully
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity
For the greater good
I
because he had been overconfident. If he had not taken things for granted, there’s no way the tortoise could have won. So he challenged the tortoise to another race. The tortoise agreed. This time, the hare went all out and ran without stopping from start to finish. He won easily. The moral of the story? Fast and consistent will always beat the slow and steady.
The Story of the Hare and Tortoise Once upon a time a hare and a tortoise had an argument about who was the fastest. They decided to settle the argument with a race. They agreed on a route and started off the race. The hare shot ahead and ran quickly for some time. Then seeing that he was far ahead of the tortoise, he thought he’d sit under a tree for some time and relax before continuing the race. He sat under the tree and fell asleep. The tortoise, plodding on, overtook him and finished the race as the undisputed champ. The hare woke up and realized that he’d lost the race. Slow and steady wins the race. This is the version of the story that we’ve all grown up with.
But the story doesn’t end here The tortoise did some thinking this time and realized that there’s no way he can beat the hare in a race the way it was currently set out. He thought for a while and then challenged the hare to another race, but on a slightly different route. The hare agreed. They started off. In keeping with his self-made commitment to be consistently fast, the hare took off and ran at top speed until he came to a broad river. The finishing line was a couple of miles on the other side of the river. The hare sat there wondering what to do. In the meantime the tortoise trundled along, got into the river, swam to the opposite bank, continued walking and finished the race. The moral of the story? First identify your core competency and then change the playing field to suit that competency.
Nana Scully’s version The hare was disappointed at losing the race and he did some soul-searching. He realized that he’d lost the race only
The story still hasn’t ended The hare and the tortoise, by this time, had become pretty good friends and they did some thinking together. Both re-
JUST recently walked and just about finished The Via Francigena Camino in Italy and to say it was tough and fearful is an understatement but enjoyable in ways all the same. As I walked and prayed along the way it made me reflect that in life, when faced with fear or failure sometimes it’s appropriate to work harder and put in more effort. Sometimes it’s appropriate to change strategy and try something different. And sometimes it’s appropriate to do both.
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Stop competing against a rival and start competing against the situation
alized that the last race could have been run much better. So they decided to do the last race again, but to run as a team this time. They started off and this time, the hare carried the tortoise to the riverbank. There, the tortoise took over and swam across with the hare on his back. On the opposite bank, the hare again carried the tortoise and they reached the finishing line together. They both felt a greater sense of satisfaction than they’d felt earlier. The moral of the story? It’s good to be individually brilliant and to have strong core competencies but unless you’re able to work in a team and harness each other’s core competencies, you’ll always perform below par. Teamwork is mainly about situational leadership, letting the person with the relevant core competency for a situation take leadership. Thought for the week As your thought for the week remember we can learn a vital lesson in life like the story above, if we learn to stop competing against a rival and instead start competing against the situation and you will find that you will perform far better. Maybe our leaders in our governments in Ireland and around our world could learn from this story and learn to start working together with the opposition and maybe the situations we find ourselves in will be better for ourselves and especially when it affects our children’s and elderly’s futures as many of their decisions do most of the time.
Teamwork makes the dream work
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Ryanair to cancel three flights from Shannon Airport early next year as numbers decline PÁRAIC McMAHON
R
paraic@clareecho.ie
YANAIR has dealt Shannon Airport a massive blow cutting three of its services there while increasing flights from Dublin Airport. Routes from Shannon to Bristol, East Midlands and Ibiza will be no more from the start of January 2020. Ryanair announced its new schedule last Wednesday with Knock losing services to Lanzarote and Tenerife South. Dublin Airport will now have 105 Ryanair routes with new services to Palanga, Podgorica, Verona and Marseilles confirmed. They are across their services from the capital to Bristol, Bydgoszcz, Riga and Vilnius. 22.4 million passengers have travelled through Dublin Airport in 2019, a 6 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Twenty-three Ryanair routes are now operating out of Cork Airport with the frequency of flights to Malaga and Palma being increased plus a new twice weekly service to Katowice in Poland. Cork Airport is predicting its Ryanair passenger numbers for 2019 will increase by 23 per cent. 2019 passenger numbers in Shannon have declined with
l WING DIP: Passenger numbers from the Mid-West region’s airport dropped 12 per cent in June
the amount travelling through the Airport down 12 per cent in June. Shannon Group have blamed this on the ongoing grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX which has taken 120,000 seats in transatlantic flights. Acting CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine expressed her disappointment with Ryanair’s decision to cut three routes. “We are disappointed with Ryanair’s decision to cut Shannon services to Bristol, East Midlands and Ibiza from January 2020. “In light of the slowdown in the global economy and the uncertainty of Brexit, this is a particularly challenging time for global aviation. “In the last week alone, we have seen the closure and suspension of flights by three European airlines”. “Ryanair is a valued airline partner and we understand the turbulent global economic climate that the aviation industry is facing. Ryanair will continue to operate 15 routes and carry 775,000 passengers from Shannon in 2020.” “We are actively engaging with all our airline partners to explore opportunities to attract new Shannon services,” she stated. This latest blow follows the announcement earlier this year that Norwegian Air will no longer be flying from Shannon. Norwegian was among dozens of airlines globally impacted by the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX fleet, following two fatal crashes involving the aircraft.
Dooley calls for massive changes at Shannon Airport following latest route blow PÁRAIC McMAHON
paraic@clareecho.ie
“A
MAJOR shake up of the board at Shannon Airport” is urgently required, Clare TD Timmy Dooley (right) has stated. On Wednesday it was announced that Ryanair were dropping its Shannon services to Bristol, East Midlands and Ibiza while at the same time confirming four new European routes from Dublin Airport. In the wake of the Ryanair’s new schedule and a further setback for Shannon, Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Dep-
uty Timmy Dooley has called for change. “Time for a major shake up of the board at Shannon Airport, new strategy required and financial support from Government is essential,” the Clare TD said. Currently, the board of Shannon Group plc is comprised of Chairperson Rose Hynes, Acting CEO Mary Considine, US based public policy consultant Kathryn O’Leary Higgins, Managing Director of Clare FM and Tipp FM Liam O’Shea, chartered accountant Tom Kelly, ex Group Editor in chief at Independent News and Media Stephen Rae, law firm partner Ambrose Loughlin plus employee representatives Kevin McCarthy and Linda Tynne. In August, Rose Hynes was given an extension of one year as Chairperson by the Department of Transport. In the weeks pre-
vious, Fine Gael TD, Joe Carey had outlined to the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross that it was an opportunity “to make a fresh start”.He said, “The loss of two CEOs within two years is a major negative. For those of us who had direct dealings with both office holders, we realise all the more the vacuum that now exists. There are other concerns such as the lack of meaningful and structured engagement with key local stakeholders and failure to interface constructively with key players such as the DAA,” Deputy Carey’s letter continued. Speaking at an event organised by the Shannon Chamber in 2018, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was “absolutely certain” that it was the right decision to give Shannon Airport its independence and that his work on Shannon has given him “a personal con-
n e c M i d VaradShanbe aiming passenger 3.5 million
tion” to the west region. kar also said non should to increase its figures to a year.
18 COLUMNIST
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Aoibhín Garrihy
LOVE
SITTING PRETTY: I teamed up with Avonmore for their Farmfulness campaign
CLARE
My sister is getting married THE NOTEBOOK
I
WAS delighted to team up with Avonmore as they launched their new Farmfulness campaign last week. Only 1 in 5 Irish people have ever been on a farm and when I think back to my childhood, visiting my grandad Chris’ dairy farm in Bellharbour and all the happy memories it evokes, I feel very lucky. Avonmore have created a mechanic whereby consumers can enjoy the relaxing sounds from the farm, like the dawn chorus and enjoy a little moment of calm in the morning before another hectic day ensues! It’s mindfulness with your milk! I had a great day Saturday with Athlone Town Centre as MC as they
showcased their Autumn/Winter collections and it certainly provided lots of inspiration for Autumnal dressing. I’ve shared some of that inspo in this week’s Covet in Clare. A huge congratulations to Ennis and all involved in the Tidy Towns initiative as it was named Ireland’s tidiest largest urban centre. It is a credit to the committee and all who come togeth-
lLOVED UP: Ailbhe will marry Ruaidhri Hehir in Doolin today
COVET IN
CLARE
DOLLY DAYCARE This little classical beauty will not only keep your little one happy at play time but will add a touch of adorable to your interiors too! It’s all kinds of vintage dreaminess available at Little Ones, Ennis or littleones.ie €114.95
MAGPIE WHO? Blackbird has the eye for all things shiny! This brand new jewellery showroom in Ennis offers the most stunning collections of delicate pieces from bespoke hoops to personalised design necklaces and everything in between. Pop in for a look and I guarantee you will leave with purchase or a wish list!
er to make it a town everyone in the county can be proud of. Speaking of accolades, I would like to congratulate all the team at Dromoland Castle Hotel and in particular Mark Nolan for their recent Hotel and Catering Gold Medal Awards whilst not forgetting the tremendous achievements of The Armada Hotel who were crowned Ireland’s Best Wedding Venue, Front of House Team and the overall Supreme Winner on the night out of all the wonderful finalists. A phenomenal achievement and a credit to the level of hospitality displayed here in Clare. Finally, today sees my beautiful sister Ailbhe Garrihy marry the love of her life, Ruaidhri Hehir in Doolin and Gregans Castle Hotel in the heart of the Burren. We have been so looking forward to this special occasion and finally the day has arrived. Wishing this beautiful, happy pair all the love and happiness in the world and roll on the celebrations this weekend!
BEAR HUG This season’s most sought after accessory comes in the form of a Teddy Coat so give yourself a giant hug and invest in warm snuggly-ness! This tan one from Willow is versatile and will certainly do the trick from casual weekend dressing to evening chic. €180 at willow.ie
SWEET DREAMS Whether you are a bride to be, looking for the perfect wedding gift or just want to treat yourself to a little hotel luxury, look no further than Francis Brennan’s nightwear collection in Dunnes Stores. This ivory satin robe is heavenly and available for just €30. Matching PJS also available. SNUG AS A BUG These flare heel stretch boots from Shoe Rack (available in Ennis and Online) at €40 have comfort and style sorted. The soft stretch fabric makes them boots that are totally “made for walking”
ADVERTORIAL
Time for a peel
AS WE welcome the Autumn, it is important to know that this is the best time of the year to receive a peel! Because our skin experiences less exposure to the sun therefore there is less margin for sensitivity to the suns harmful rays. As we all know, the weather plays a big role in how we care for our skin. As always we suggest using an SPF on your face no matter what time of year it is. During summer months, where there is more sun exposure, we suggest lessening the use of retinol products. As the season shifts into fall and winter months, it just gets easier to receive peels and use Retinol because of the lack of sun. Why you should experience a peel... At Ennis Medical Aesthetics, we offer a variety of medical grade peels, each with a unique complex of ingredients, which are customised to target your specific skin concerns whether it be ageing, pigmentation, acne, oily, dry, or sensitive skin. This unique experience includes an exfoliating peel treatment, brightening enhancement followed by prescriptive targets serums which reveal a more radiant, soft and luminous skin. Benefits of Medical Grade Peels ~Reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles ~Increases cell turnover rate within your skin ~Visibly firms and tightens the skin ~Brightens dark spots ~Leaves your skin soft and smooth ~Boosts collagen and elastin production ~Removes dull dry skin cells ~Floods the skin with antioxidants ~Reduces redness ~Reduces breakouts ~Increases skin hydration How often should I get a peel? It is recommended to have a peel treatment every four to six weeks depending on personal skincare needs. However, if you have acne or melasma, you may get it done on a more frequent basis.
COLUMNIST 19
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Top 5 Top Five Artisan Foods in Clare
1
MOY HILL VEG BOXES:
These surfer farmers have been a wonderful addition to the agricultural landscape of the county and offer wonderful veg boxes by subscription. These can be picked up at one of the local markets they operate in or direct from the farm itself. Not only is the produce healthy and tasty but the way in which they farm the land is extremely environmentally friendly too. It’s also well worth a visit to see all they have going on...a great day out!
3
CRATLOE HILL CHEESE:
Cratloe Hills Sheep’s Cheese is an Irish cheese produced by Sean and Deirdre Fitzgerald at their farm in Brickhill, Co. Clare and is the first sheep’s cheese to be produced in Ireland. Their hard cheese is made using vegetarian rennet and pasteurised sheep’s milk sourced from their own flock of Friesland ewes, which graze, on pastureland on the Cratloe Hills and is a perfect after dinner treat for those cosy nights in!
5
2
WESTERN HERD BEER:
A creative use of a family farm in Kilmaley has seen this brother and sister team lead the way in craft beer production in Clare and further afield. The creative names and branding are indicative of the wonderful beers they are producing, available in supermarkets, pubs, hotels and direct from their own pubs, well worth a sample to support this Clare power duo.
4
TALTY’S SEA VEGETABLES:
The wonder and benefits of sea veg are coming to the fore now more and more and it has to be the most dynamic produce on earth. Talty’s are harvesting and producing this in so many formats that are well worth a try. Not only can you soak in a seaweed bath from their Wild Irish Seaweed range but you can do so while snacking on some sea weed nibbles. The sea vegetables are a well sought after ingredient for chowders bases, deserts, sprinkles for sandwiches, or butter with a twist, and there really is no limit to what they can be used for.
RATHLIR FARM, KILRUSH:
Happy Hens from Rathlir Farm in Kilrush are a prime example of sustainable, artisan organic produce. Recognised by Bord Bia for excellence in quality producing, Happy Hens is just another nod to really great local produce in the county and another name to look out for when setting out on the weekly shop!
Entertainment
Bangers and Crash
P
ERCUSSION virtuosos Alex Petcu (below), Emma King and Brian Dungan cook up a programme of new music to tickle your tastebuds and defy your expectations. Music Network presents Bangers and Crash Percussion Group at glór on Friday 11th October 2019. The group will bring their exciting programme of 20th and 21st century music to the glór stage. Having a physics background can be a useful thing indeed if you are ace percussionist Alex Petcu. So the required sounds don’t exist on conventional instruments? No problem, you just invent and build what you need. And that’s what audiences can expect when he and fellow percussion adventurers Emma King and Brian Dungan take to the road with their kit bag of the usual suspects of the drum world, along with a fascinating array of metal, wood, string, and some surprising household objects. The group’s appetite for exploring rhythmic influences from around the world – Flamenco, Afro-Cuban, Javanese gamelan – is healthy, hearty and irrepressible. Audiences can look forward to a rich and varied selection of music by composers including Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Thierry De Mey, as well as a new Music Network commission by Alex Petcu. Alex Petcu has established himself both nationally and internationally as a per-
cussionist of the finest calibre. He is wellknown for his incredible solo and chamber music performances and has featured as a soloist with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Irish Chamber Orchestra. He also holds an MSc in Physics from UCC, so if the required sounds don’t exist on conventional instruments he just invents and builds what he needs. Emma King is a London-based percussionist whose reputation has grown rapidly in the UK music scene, in particular through her performances as a Cajónero with the Glasgow and London Drum Shows. She joined the West End/Broadway percussion show STOMP in 2014 and has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia and South America with the company. Brian Dungan is in high demand as an orchestral percussionist and works regularly with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra and Crash Ensemble. He featured in Steve Reich’s famous Music for 18 Musicians in a collaborative performance with Crash Ensemble, Bang on a Can Allstars and Sō Percussion in Dublin in 2014.
€16/€14 CONC. Check out glor.ie for more information.
l GOOD DEED: A recent Charity Concert in aid of Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association held at Hotel Woodstock raised €6700 euro. Pictured at the cheque presentation are (seated L-R) Ann White, Feidhlim Hillery, Maretta O’Hehir, (standing L-R) Aidan White, Sarah Ellen Murphy, Nöel Murphy, Mary Honan, Stella Walshe, Melissa Roberts, Noelle Fogarty and Michael Tierney
A Wider Horizon lands on East Clare shores SCARIFF Library Gallery presents ‘’ A Wider Horizon’’ by artist Lionel Coates from October 16 to November 23. After having worked in the UK as a lecturer in Further and Higher Education, Lionel retired to the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo, to live and to paint. Thirteen years later both he and his wife decided to move to his familial homeland, the island of Ireland, where he found the wide-open spaces and perspectives – both geometric and aerial – utterly enthralling. Taken together with the totally different colour palette required to paint in Ireland, this wider horizon has given Lionel a renewed impetus to paint. This event is free and all are welcome to attend.
l STUNNING: Moneen Mountain in the Burren, by Lionel Coates
ENTERTAINMENT 21
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Inis Artists show colours T
he 14 members of the Inis Artists will be celebrating as part of their 20th anniversary this year in style at with an exhibition of ‘New works’ at Clare Museum Ennis from the of 4th to the end of October 2019 at Clare Museum Ennis. The group was founded back in 1999 when some artists who were part of the Clare Crafts Association decided to set up their own group. They have been extremely active ever since with up to 14 exhibitions around the country every year. Some of the original founding members are still part of the group such as Denise Borge and Tomás O’Maoldomhnaigh. The late Sonia Schorman had a leading role in the setting up of the group. The main aim was to promote the visual arts in Munster; the group includes a number of Limerick and Clare artists. It was she who decided that artists should come together and form a sort of cooperative to organize and display their works in as many places as possible. She recognized the difficulty of artists on their own trying to find venues and put enough works together for an exhibition. So far the group has exhibited in three of the four Provinces. They invite everyone to come and see all the new works in their ‘On solid Ground’. There will be up to 30 works on sale which will consist of landscapes, townscapes figurative pieces and, in many mediums including oils, watercolours and acrylics. There are a wide variety of works produced, representing the diverse techniques and versatility of the group. The artists all accept commissions including portraits and would be delighted to discuss any potential paintings.
The Star of Munster Ged's will shine at Cois na hAbhna on Saturday World Cup Diary
CÉILÍ at Cois na hAbhna with The Star of Munster Céilí Band on Saturday, October 5 from 9.30pm - 12.30am. The Star of Munster Céilí Band is one of the most popular Céilí Bands in the area and have been together for some time now. They play an excellent selection of Reels, Jigs, Polkas and Hornpipes. The line-up of Sean Murphy on Accordion, Ralph Morgan on Banjo, Fintan McMahon on Keyboard and Dave Culligan on Drums ensures that there will be plenty of lively music guaranteed to get all set dancers hopping mad! Enjoy! Bígí linn ag Cois na hAbhna! Admission €10.
with GED McNAMARA BEING involved in the Rugby World Cup is “a surreal experience” writes Newmarket-on-Fergus native Ged McNamara, a strength and conditioning coach with the Georgian national rugby team in his second RWC diary entry for The Clare Echo from Japan.
W
ALES was never going to be easy starting off, we didn’t win against them in Kumagaya but we’ve bounced back well to put down a really great week. The facilities are world class and the heat had died down a small bit for the week but not alone were tensions boiling up approaching game day so too were the temperatures. Beating Uruguay (pictured below) was brilliant and to add a bonus point made it extra special. Our forward dominance was crucial in securing the 33-7 win where we ran over for five tries. We face Fiji on Thursday, as I said last week we expect a massive test and again we won’t take it lightly. There’s a lot at stake as whoever wins is likely to take the all-important qualification spot for RWC 2023. Receiving so many well-wishes and support since the start of the World Cup has really blown me away. Two time All Star Brendan Bugler got in touch over the weekend saying our lads are looking in great shape, it was a nice message to get. The temperatures in Kumagaya are a big contrast from the dark and dreary cold winter nights in UL when I was involved with the Clare senior hurlers and keeping an eye on Bugs’ and the rest of the panels fitness!
22 ROAD SAFETY WEEK
Irish Road Safety week 2019
T
HIS year, Irish Road Safety Week (IRSW) will be taking place from Monday 7 October to Sunday 13 October with lots of road safety activities planned nationwide. The Road Safety Authority is looking for your help with this national drive to save lives, so if there are events happening in your community, get involved and help to save lives on our roads. Here’s the list of what’s happening: On Wednesday 9 October: This is Tyre safety Day. A copy of ‘Your guide to Tyre Safety’ which includes information on buying second hand tyres can be downloaded at www.rsa.ie. Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) members around Ireland are inviting all motorists to call in for a FREE tyre pressure check and thread depth inspection during RSA Road Safety Week. A visit to www.itia.ie will lead motorists to their nearest ITIA registered dealer. The RSA, Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and An Garda Síochána are hosting free Driving for Work Seminars on ‘Grey Fleet’ for employers on Wednesday 9 October in the Clayton Hotel Galway and on Thursday 10 October in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown. To register please do so on http://drivingforwork.ie/ registration/.
The RSA will be airing its winter ready radio advert throughout the week. As the winter months are approaching its time to make sure your vehicle is maintained ahead of the winter season. Child Safety Day takes place on Friday 11 October 2019. Child safety day will incorporate lots of Road Safety Activities including Beep Beep Day and Check It Fits. Beep Beep Day is a chance for pre-schoolers to learn road safety skills from a young age. The RSA are providing Beep Beep packs to preschool providers on a first come, first served basis. Check it Fits, the RSA’s free child car seat checking service in partnership with Toyota, will be visiting locations around the country during Irish Road Safety Week including Child Safety Day. For more details on these and other locations please visit the Check it Fits section of the RSA website. In October, the RSA will also be distributing its ‘Back to School’ pack to secondary students, while Seatbelt Sheriff and Hi Glo Silver will be making an appearance at primary level. The National Road Safety Education Service will be travelling the length and breadth of the country, delivering road safety education programmes to crèches, schools, universities, workplaces and communities throughout the week.
ROAD SAFETY WEEK
Tyre safety tops the agenda in road safety
D
URING Road Safety Week, tyre safety is designed to educate motorists on the importance of tyre maintenance and safety. Your tyres are the only point of contact between your car, van, SUV and the road, and yet their importance to a car’s safety and fuel economy is easily overlooked. Checking your tyres will save you money by maximising tyre life, improve your safety by identifying damages and helps reduce engine emissions into the environment, by improving your fuel consumption. ITIA Retailers are delighted to offer ‘Free Visual Tyre Checks’ on all 5 tyres, (the spare too!). No purchase is necessary. So Just drive in for peace of mind – it takes about 10 minutes.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN TYRES The minimum tread depth of your tyres is 1.6mm. The tyre pressure is in the owners hand book or fuel cap (don’t forget the spare). Cuts, cracks, sidewall damage/bulge are the dangers to
look for on a tyre. Replace with new tyres before you reach 1.6mm of tread left. New tyres now have EU labels offering just 3 performance results EG. Wet braking, fuel use and road noise. It’s a great starting point for
the buyer. But motoring magazines test up to 15 tyre characteristics and manufacturers test over 50 characteristics. Buy from an ITIA member to ensure the tyre is new, designed for European roads and comes with a full manufacturer’s warranty. Accredited and Professional ITIA tyre fitters are trained and fully insured. Members follow legal waste tyre disposal procedures and policies. ITIA members do not sell these poor value and potentially unsafe waste/second hand tyres that are promoted as part worn tyres. Why would anyone take off a good tyre?
23
Dangerous junction by Fern Celtic
NEW signings and away teams are oblivious to the dangerous junctions on approach to the grounds of Fern Celtic soccer club. Founded in 2001, Fern Celtic draws players from Ballyea, Clarecastle, Lissycasey and Ballynacally with some personnel coming from further afield to line out with the club. Cllr Gabriel Keating asked Clare County Council what measures could be taken to improve road safety at the junction between the R473and the L-82503 at Tiermaclane. “This junction is used by children and adults attending the Fern Celtic soccer grounds and has very limited sight visibility”. Senior executive engineer in the Council’s road design office, Ann Cronin said the location could be considered as a low cost safety scheme next year depending on the cost involved. “Works to improve sightlines would involve full or part acquisition of the structure at the corner and acquisition of land. The extent of property required would be depend on the result of a topographical survey”. Reading a letter from club secretary, Leonard Meaney, Cllr Keating outlined, “Large numbers use the junction many of whom are unfamiliar with the area and the dangerous roads”. His motion was seconded by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG). Acting senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, John O’Malley stated. “Because of the success of the soccer club, more people are coming from outside playing with them that are unfamiliar with the danger of the road. There is no doubt that it needs improvement”.
Community 24 COMMUNITY
NORTH CLARE ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY Clare County Library and Ennistymon Vocational School have joined forces to promote reading for pleasure among students. The school is running a project ‘One Book One Community’ from 18th October to 22nd November whereby they are hoping that as many people as possible can read the book ‘Wonder’ by R.L. Palacio. One Book One Community initiatives have been sweeping across Ireland over the last couple of years. They are a celebrations of great books, of reading and of community spirit as libraries, schools, families and communities all work together to inspire children to read books. It is a great opportunity for everyone to work together and this October it comes to Ennistymon, County Clare. R J Palacio’s ‘Wonder’ was chosen as the book to be read. ‘Wonder’ tells the incredibly inspiring and heart-warming story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. ‘Wonder’ was published in 2012 and has since been made into a film. It has had widespread critical acclaim. The New York Times wrote that Wonder is “Full of heart, full of truth, Wonder is a book about seeing the beauty that’s all around us. I dare you not to fall in love with Auggie Pullman.” There will be a programme of events to complement the book. Events will take place in both Ennistymon Vocational School and in Ennistymon Library. There will also be copies of the book available to borrow from Ennistymon library. The launch of Ennistymon One Book One Community is on Friday 18th October at 11.30am in Ennistymon Library. The event is free and all are welcome. This event is part funded by Creative Ireland.
ENNIS SET DANCING Cloughleigh CCE, Ennis branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann resume set dancing classes in Woodstock Golf Club on Monday, October 7 at 8.30pm. Everyone welcome. Call 087-9738482 for more information. DINNER DANCE Annual Pioneer Dinner Dance Friday 11th October 2019 at the West County Hotel, Ennis. 8pm Mass by Bishop Fintan Monahan followed by meal and dancing to Danny Hunt. Tickets 25euro from Nancy Lyons on 065 6822365 or Michael Baker on 065 6835281. CHARITY DOG WALK Calling All Super Dogs! – Join our Dogs Unite 5km Walk and support Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. WHERE: Lees Road Sports & Amenity Park, Ennis WHEN: From 11am Sunday 13th October REGISTER: Sign up online at https:// guidedogs.ie/dogsunite OR register on the day from 11am with walk commencing at 11.30am sharp. COST: Individual registration is €10 (1 Adult & 1 Cape) Family registration is €20 (2 Adults and unlimited little ones & 2 Capes). You can even bring your own dog along to the walk (although you don’t need a dog to take part!) CLARE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY ‘From Workhouse to Nursery; the County Clare Mother and Baby Home 1922 to 1932’ - a lecture by Rita McCarthy on Tuesday 8th October at 8.00 pm in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis. Lecture is free to members and €5 for non-members. Enquiries to Frances at fogorman51@gmail. com or tel Mary at 0878362491. Hope you can join us!
WEST CLARE LCETB COOKERY COURSE Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board are offering the following: 10 week Basic Cookery Skills starting Thurs. 10/10/2019 at 9.3011.30 Further Education and Training Centre, Ballard Road, Miltown Contact 065 7084774.
EAST CLARE
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2018
CONTACT NEWSDESK
065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie
l GOING FOR GOLD: Leah
Minogue and Eimear Murphy will compete in the U15 Doubles All Ireland handball final this Sunday
HANDBALL FINALS All eyes will be on Moycullen this Sunday October 6th, as Tuamgraney's Leah Minogue and Kilkishen's Eimear Murphy compete in the 60 x 30 Girls' Under 15 Doubles' All Ireland Final. Both girls have had a phenomenal year already with Eimear reaching the 40 x 20 Girls' Under 15 Singles All Ireland Final in April. Leah won the All Ireland Under 16 Doubles championship alongside Chloe Philpott last April. The Banner pair will face stiff opposition in Lauren Power and Nathania Jackson of Kilkenny. 60 x 30 Munster Colleges Finals Chloe Philpott bounced back from defeat last week to help St Joseph’s Secondary School claim a historic double on Friday night in Hospital, Co. Limerick. Chloe captured the Girls’ Junior Singles title against Sarah Mason, Castleisland Community College. In the Girls’ Junior Doubles Jennifer Nicholas and Áine Lenihan completed the double for St Joseph’s by defeating Christine Perry and Emma Williams, St Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh.
SHANNON BAHA’I COMMUNITY The Shannon Baha’i community hosted an event on Sunday 29th Sept. where Baha’is from all over Clare met in ‘Treacys Oakwood Hotel ‘ to reflect on their last three months activities and plan for the next three months. Excitement is mounting among the Bahá’ís in the area as they prepare to celebrate at the end of October, the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of ‘the Bab’, whose revitalising message prepared the way for the founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah. Bahá’ís welcome all to their activities. www.bahai.org.
Community THURSDAY, OCT 3 2018
COMMUNITY 25 CONTACT NEWSDESK
065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie
ENNIS
l ALL SMILES: Members, staff and volunteers of Irish Wheelchair Association Ennis who took part in the Cook Medical Womens Mini Marathon last Sunday at the University of
Limerick. All funds raised have gone to the Clare Branch of Irish Wheelchair Association
WEST CLARE POSITIVE AGEING WEEK You are invited to a step back in time with a photographic display of old photos of Kilkee in Sweeney Memorial Library Kilkee, on Fri October 4. This is a positive ageing event and all are welcome to attend. Teas and coffees will be provided. DOONBEG BINGO 50th Birthday Party Night next Friday 4th Oct with extra prizes! All welcome. EVENING COURSES Enrolment in St Josephs’Spanish Point. Evening courses in Early Childhood Care & Education at level 5 & 6. Healthcare Support for the Elderly and People with Disabilities level 5’ beginning early October. All enquiries to :btei@stjosephssp.com OLD KILFARBOY SOCIETY LECTURE Martin McNamara will be presenting the first lecture in our Autumn -Winter 2019/2020 series. Entitled “The Moy School and Region 1820-1860” -education in the Moy region, the Old Moy Church, the Blessed Well and the poet scholar Seamus Mac Cruitin are among the topics being covered. Taking place Tuesday 08th October, starting at 8PM at The Malbay, admission is 5 euros and new members are also welcome to join. Membership costs 20 euros (10 euros for OAPs) and covers admission for the six Autumn-Winter 2019 / 2020 lectures (October-March inclusive).
COUNTYWIDE COLLEGE REUNION Graduates from fourteen different years are being invited to Mary Immaculate College's annual Alumni Reunion. On Saturday October 5th, MIC will celebrate graduates from the years 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. The Alumni Reunion is the college's largest event for graduates and poses an opportunity to reminisce with former classmates and network with other past students. Running from 2:30pm to 5pm at MIC Limerick, attendees will get to see the many changes the college has undergone as it now caters for a student population in excess of 5,000. President of MIC, Professor Eugene Wall, will be in attendance to welcome the returning Alumni. Refreshments will be provided on the day and mass will also be celebrated in the College Chapel. To book your place, email alumni@mic.ul.ie and provide details such as your name, the programme from which you graduated and the year of graduation.
EAST CLARE BOOK LAUNCH Revival Press in association with The Limerick Writers’ Centre is pleased to announce the launch of And Say, a new collection of poetry from Killaloe based US poet and journalist Jessica Brown. The launch will take place Thursday 10th October 7.30pm at Ponte Vecchio, Royal Parade, Killaloe, Co. Clare. With degrees in English and creative writing, Jessica is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Limerick. Her publications include an essay in the book Jane Austen and the Arts, articles in Journal for Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, as well as the children’s novel The River Boy and several short stories and creative nonfiction essays. Born and raised in southeast Texas, she now lives with her husband and son in County Clare. Her website is www.jessicabrownwriter.com. The book is published by Revival Press (an imprint of The Limerick Writers’ Centre) under their Community Publishing programme and will be launched by local poet and author Michael Durack. All are welcome to attend. It is available to buy online at www.limerickwriterscentre. com and from all usual outlets. For further details: Dominic Taylor; Tel: 087 2996409; E: limerickwriterscentre@gmail.com
NORTH CLARE NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING WEEK Takes place from the 1st to 7th October 2019. The main message is "Every breastfeed makes a difference". To celebrate the week you are invited to join the North Clare breastfeeding group on Thursday 3rd October 10.30-12.00 at the Stella Maris Day Centre, Kilfenora Rd, Lisdoonvarna V95NF2C. For further information contact Gobnait 0879080412. MENTAL HEALTH WEEK TALK In celebration of Mental Health Week you are invited to join us for a free public talk ‘Well-being on the Wild Atlantic Way. Tuesday, October 8, 2019 from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at Seaworld Lahinch. Hear short presentations by local psychotherapists on: Mindfulness in everyday life (Joanne Hanrahan); Finding ease in a frantic world (Dr Kear Brain); Adolescent anxiety impact on families (Margaret O’Brien); The importance of self-care (Yvonne Nagle). Tea and coffee will be provided.
26 FEATURE
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2018
Swim stars smash European Surf Lifesaving Championships in Italy
l FLYING THE FLAG: Clockwise from above: Clare athletes representing Ireland
– Eoin Rouine, Katie Shannon, Roisin Cahill, Dylan O’Brien, Turlough Barrett, Tara McEvoy, Aoife Madigan, Bernard Cahill; Clare Team – Hannah Garrigan, Cora Deane, Eimear Kilroy, Jane Hillery, Leah McMahon, Ava Cronin, Laura McDonnell,Conor Hogan, James Curran, Tommy Nunan, Calum Barrett, Hugh McMahon; European Champions in Board Rescue, Bernard Cahill & Turlough Barrett; Bernard 2nd in Ski race; Clare McGrath, Pam McGrath, Aoife Madigan, Roisin Cahill, Tara McEvoy, Katie Shannon, Patrick O’Grady Front: Bernard Cahill, Brendan McGrath, Dylan O’Brien, Eoin Rouine, Turlough Barrett at the Surf Lifesaving Championships in Riccione, Italy; European Champions – Line Throw – Eimear Kilroy & Jane Hillery
R
ICCIONE, Italy was the venue for the European Lifesaving Championships which were held from 17th – 30th Sep-
tember. Athletes from Clare have lead the charge with outstanding results representing Ireland at Masters, Senior & Junior level while Clare also had great success at club championship level. This Clare crew hailed from Clarecas-
tle, Corofin, Ennis, Ennistymon, Lahinch and Maurices Mills. They were involved in all the European titles won by Irish competitors at this Championships which is testament to the skill level of these athletes and the intense training undertaken by them over the past number of months in preparation for the competition. As well as competitors, the county also provided referees for both the pool and beach competi-
tions in Clare McGrath and Pamela McGrath, National team coach Brendan McGrath, and Patrick O’Grady who was referee for the Masters beach comp and coach for the National teams also. MASTERS RESULTS Norma Cahill European Champion Board race, Swim & Oceanwoman race. Sinead Mortell European Champion Beach flags race, Silver Board
race & Swim. SENIOR RESULTS Bernard Cahill, European Champion Surf race, Oceanman an Board Rescue, 2nd Ski race, mixed Oceanman relay and men’s Oceanman relay. Turlough Barrett, European Champion Board rescue, 2nd Oceanman relay, 3rd Beach sprint relay.Roisin Cahill, 2nd Board Rescue and 2nd mixed taplin.
YOUTH RESULTS Dylan O'Brien, 2nd Board Rescue, 3rd Beach sprint relay. Aoife Madigan, 2nd Board Rescue, 2nd Sprint relay, 3rd mixed Oceanman relay. Eoin Rouine, 3rd Beach Sprint relay. INTERCLUB RESULTS Eimear Kilroy & Jane Hillary European Champions Line Throw. Leah McMahon European Champ youth Surf Ski.
I
How to plan Secret Santa
T’S that wonderful time of the year again - well, not quite but we can talk about it now! You know that pre-holiday feeling when offices get a whole lot merrier and the office party is just around the corner. Since Christmas is a giving holiday, the gift exchange is a must. Secret Santa is known as the greatest joy-bearer - it is funny and amazing to surprise someone who usually is not on your holiday list. If you don’t know how to organize or participate in this gift-giving game, here’s all you need to know! DRAWING NAMES The old-fashioned way is writing names of all the participants on a piece of paper. If you are doing this with friends,
names only are enough. But, if we are talking about organizing a Secret Santa for your office, it would be a good idea to have people write down a few things about themselves (Paddy – book lover, huge Harry Potter fan, hurling adorer). That way, the person in charge of your gift would have a clue on what to buy. When done, put all the bits of paper into a box or a hat (if it’s Christmassy decorated even better) and pass it around for all to draw one name – that name is the person they are getting a present for. CHOOSING A GIFT If there is a wish list, stick to it, and all of your problems are solved. If not, you can try a few approaches. Maybe to check your co-worker’s social media and see
if there is anything usable there - or else ask around. FILLING IN THE DETAILS The best thing about Secret Santa is that you’ll get a gift whether you’ve been good or bad during the previous 12 months. But that doesn’t mean this game doesn’t have some ground rules. The first one: set up a price limit! Secret Santa is symbolic, and its main goal is to get to know people a little better and to get closer with your co-workers. By selecting a happy medium price range, you are taking a lot of pressure off. The second-one: setting a date! If you have a Christmas party, that is a great place for a gift exchange. But it can also be some quiet get together, or even over the lunch break.
It's party time at Falls Hotel and Spa
‘T
WAS the night before Christmas and all through the house...’ Come December, our house will be warm and welcoming, sparkly and shimmering, cosy and Christmassy! For those wonderful pre Christmas get-togethers, lunch or dinner, we have lots of options, from our Cascades Restaurant to one of our intimate private dining rooms, where the views will be calming and the food delicious. Just let us know the time, date and the number of people and we will do the rest! We have a wonderfully festive Afternoon Tea, with yummy Christmassy delights,
which can be served overlooking the river or by the fire, you decide! If you are not sure what gift to get – give them a Falls Hotel & Spa voucher and let them decide! It can cover a spa treatment, a meal, gym membership or a break away, a lot of boxes ticked! These are available online. The McCarthy family would like to thank you for your custom throughout the year, we really appreciate it. For more information on any of the above, please contact The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon on 065 7071004 or view our website on www.fallshotel.ie.
Plenty of party options available at Nora Culligans
N
ORA Culligans Bar, or Nora's, as it is affectionately known, is a great venue for your Christmas party this year. With their four uniquely designed bar areas there is a variety of spaces available for groups of different sizes. Their Victorian style Balcony Bar upstairs offers a private party area for groups of between 50-70 and has its own private smoking area. The downstairs Lounge area offers a relaxed and comfortable space for groups of between 30-40. Smaller groups can also be accommodated in the main bar and the whiskey bar or by sharing the balcony bar and lounge area. Nora Culligans have also a great line up of live music confirmed for the Christmas party season with their resident DJ's also playing party tunes every Friday and Saturday night. Finger food options are available and they are happy to discuss your specific party requirements with you to ensure a great night is had by all. After the Christmas party season is over Nora's is always a great venue to celebrate any special occasion from birthdays to engagements to day after wedding parties.
Keep off the naughty list
A
H, the holidays… tis’ the season of giving, the season of neighbourly love, and for office workers, the season of holiday-related nightmares. So we thought we’d share our tips to keep everyone OFF the “naughty” list. RESPECT YOUR COLLEAGUE First things first, it comes down to R-E-SP-E-C-T. Be respectful of each other’s holiday traditions and beliefs, religious or non. CONSIDER YOUR GIFTS Just as we want to be respectful of others traditions and beliefs, be respectful of those who don’t want to participate in the department gift exchange. But it’s just as OK if gift-giving is your thing! Just be sure to not exceed the price limit – it makes those who didn’t stick to the limit and those who got the cheaper gift feel bad. Also, don’t be that person who gives ridiculously large, expensive presents to the Boss. Over-gifting not only irritates your peers, it puts you in an unfavourable light as a sycophant. (And no one wants that, right?) Are you and your “work bestie” planning to exchange gifts? It’s
natural to want to exchange gifts with them, but be sure to do so in private - perhaps at lunch - so that your fellow co-workers don’t feel excluded. KEEP IT CLASSY Heading to the office holiday party? Keep your holiday attire classy and, keep it current. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable donning your festive apparel to an interview - we don’t advise wearing it to the office Christmas party. KEEP ALCOHOL TO MINIMUM Thinking about toasting to the holidays? If you’re hosting an office holiday party, we recommend thinking twice before breaking out the booze. Alcohol related office woes tend to spike around the holidays. DON’T FORGET WHAT HOLIDAYS ARE ABOUT Taking time off for the holidays? Make the most of it, and unplug yourself as much as possible from the office, meaning; stay away from email and voicemail, so that you can be present with the ones you love. Remember, your presence is the greatest gift you can give them!
Dazzling festive line-up at Treacy’s West County
T
HE Christmas 2019 lineup at Treacy's West County Hotel offers something for all the family from the very young to the young at heart. Headline grabbing acts this year include Big Generator, Ultimate Bublé tribute, top names in Country music; Mike Denver, Michael English, Gerry Guthrie, Nathan Carter and John Glenn & The Mainliners. That's all in addition to our returning Santa's grotto and outdoor Christmas markets. Christmas parties are always the topic of conversation around the office long before it is safe to mention the 'C' word. Our party nights commence with a mulled wine reception, before sitting down to a four course meal followed by live band and DJ til late. This year the party nites are headlined by Ultimate Bublé on Friday Dec 13th are Big Generator on Dec 21st and. Backed by a full five piece live band, Steven Mangan performs a catalogue of Michael Bublé's Ultimate hits as well as the Canadian singer's unique compilation of Christmas
classics Santa Claus is Coming to Town, White Christmas, Jingle Bells and many more. It's one not to be missed for Bublé fans. Christmas breakup party night on Saturday December 21st features an act that are no strangers to Ennis. This Galway 4-piece band will offer their fans and party goers a Christmas party night to remember. Enjoy your last night before Christmas season with the with quality covers and hits from their back catalogue. Tickets priced €42. See our stay and party packages available at treacyswestcounty.com In addition to our party nights, our 2019 Christmas schedule includes top names Michael English, Mike Denver's Country Christmas, Nathan Carter Christmas Concert. Our Outdoor Markets including free kids entertainment returns this December 14th & 15th, while Santa himself will arrive to our Santa's Grotto on 6th. Full details on our festive entertainment line-up on www. treacyswestcounty.com
We've moved
Bonfire Ennis have now relocated from wood quay to Parnell Street. An ideal location for your Christmas party.
1
Plan the perfect party
Get planning – now! It may feel like you’re only just dusting off your onesie ready for the winter, but the best venues get booked up, fast. You don’t want to be left with only the dodgy local as an option.
2
Get out of the office No one wants to spend their Christmas party in the cramped office break room, with a sad radio pumping out Cliff does Christmas in the corner. Find a venue which is easy to get to. If you do have to stay in-house, choose a room away from your normal work area and make it festive.
3
Send an invite Make it feel like a special event that people can look forward to. Make your invite fun and eye-catching to really get people in the festive mood.
4
Decide on a Christmas party theme No party is complete without a theme to tie it all together. Here’s your chance to get creative. P e r haps it’s Christm a s past, o r novelty hats. Or you
could even plan an activity to really get everyone involved.
5
Include a competition Whether it’s ‘best Christmas jumper’ or ‘best achievement of the year’, everyone loves a competition and it’s a fantastic
ice-breaker. You could even take it a step further and include the competition as part of your theme.
6
Plan a great menu Whatever you do, remember to include enough food for the day and night. Drinks will be flowing, so find out your budget and look for a menu which has something for everyone.
7
Treat everyone like guests to your own party Greet them at the door and make sure they know where to put their coat and get a drink. This is a great way to put people at ease, especially if you’ve chosen an unusual venue.
8
Take lots of photos Time to get the Christmas pudding sweaters out; Great for a giggle when sober January kicks in. You could even make a short video for real cringe-factor, just try and stay away from the photocopier…
COLUMNIST 39
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Eoin Neylon
EDITOR’S OPINION Stuart Holly
Real, local heroes
T
HIS week requires a short editor’s comment just to commend the unwavering commitment of community volunteers across Clare. Last month, I was given the honour of being asked to be one of four adjudicators who would decide the Clare Older People’s Volunteer of the Year award 2019. This involved sitting down in a room at Clare County Council HQ and going through numerous entries which had been submitted by members of the public who believe these volunteers deserve rich recognition.
Thumbing through the entries, it became clear that I was feeling unworthy to decide which of these people was most fit to win the overall award, such was the standard of entry. For each man and woman on the shortlist represents the best of us; glue that sticks our communities together by supporting initiatives such as tidy towns; bringing neighbours to hospital appointments, volunteering with local charities, playing music at retirement homes. Congrats to the overall winner, Derek Clune from Shannon. A shining example of what we should all strive to be.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, Newmarket-on-Fergus is the parish that has been left behind. Now the election is over, the same councillors were elected as five years ago, all councillors got votes in our parish as they did in the last election, councillors that have got votes in our parish in the last thirty years, what have they done for our parish? The parish had to wait thirty years for a new water supply, we lost a lot of young people that had to go and buy or build their homes in other parishes where there was water. I ask, why our parish, when there was one of the best water supplies in Ireland running in the outskirts of the parish into Shannon Airport. There is a very bad flooding problem in the Ballycar area, the Limerick to Ennis rail line has to be closed down when the line gets flooded. There was €130 million spent on the upgrading of the line between Limerick and Galway, now the OPW are talking about spending €10 million on lifting the line. Lifting the line will not help the farmers land that has been flooded in bad winters. This flooding could be helped in a big way if the small rivers that were closed when Shannon Airport was built, were opened up. The river coming from Ballycar Lake to Kilnasoolagh Lake is blocked in several places and it is backing up and flooding the rail line and land. Kilnasoolagh Lake has more problems, the underground passageways out of the lake should be opened up more. The river going out of the lake to the River Fergus has not been cleaned in fifty years. We don’t have a text alert in the village or zebra crossings for the old people crossing the main street to go to church. Clarecastle, Sixmilebridge and Shannon got the natural gas, why did Newmarket not get the gas, it would be cheaper and cleaner for the new housing estates, Dromoland Castle and the Inn at Dromoland have cheaper and cleaner fuel. Speed warning
light signals are in Clarecastle, Doora, Quin, Kilmurry, Kilkishen, Sixmilbridge, Bunratty and Cappa on the Shannon Rd but they are not in Newmarket. My question is why not? Now our parish has been neglected on the upkeep of the village. Obair who looked after the village so well for years, they were set up to look after the grounds of the village area granted by Clare County Council and they are now down to one workman. Look at the state of the rose beds, some of the lawns are like meadows, the footpaths are over taken by weeds. The footpath going to Dromoland Castle is a scandal, how in god’s name could any tourist walk down to the village on that path with derelict properties en route, the state of some of them, this would not be allowed to happen in any other tourist area in the country. It’s nice to be elected if you are interested in that walk of life. I tried it myself twenty years ago but I was short 46 votes, I would have worked for my parish. When elected, you must be up front, not dropping in letters at 6am when people are not up to meet you. Attending events that you can be seen at is not working for the good of your country, it’s working for your next seat or the old party faithful, that goes for all Tds and Ministers. I don’t understand why they’re not in the coffin making business, they have buried a lot of people since 2004. There hasn’t been an open meeting in our parish since Dusty Whelan was coming. Councillors that are elected should hold an open meeting in all parishes at least four times in their term of office with all councillors present. That way all people of parishes can submit the problems they see the parishes have in writing at least two weeks before the meeting so councillors can look into their problems beforehand.
Yours Truly, Tom Casey, Ennis Road, Newmarket-on-Fergus
An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum
Now’s time to give your councillor a call
F
ALL out from last week’s Council decision to increase Local Property Tax (LPT) continues with various politicians, groups and online fora having their say. What remains prevalent throughout the discourse is the very real situation that not many people fully understand the role of the local Councillor anymore. This is entirely understandable given the two large scale changes that have happened the office over the past two decades. These are namely, the ending of the dual mandate, and the Phil Hogan reforms which have formerly been discussed in this column. Many people from the generation before mine still view the divisions between the roles of the County Councillor and TD as very blurred. That is because, until 2003, there often was no difference. The dual mandate, whereby members of the Oireachtas could also hold local office, meant the two were often one and the same person, making councillors appear all powerful, when in fact, most of the time, they were using the weight of their Oireachtas office to get things done. Coupled with the 2014 Hogan reforms, a councillor’s role boils down to five key things; setting the deviation rate to the LPT, setting commercial rates, voting in the County Developments Plan, allocation of the discretionary Municipal Fund, and, advocating with various members of the Council’s executive and engineering sections to turn their attention to various issues. That is all their powers. Sure, they can grandstand on other issues and give us their inner most thoughts on various campaigns, but they have as much power to effect real change on any of them as you or I. A
good example of this was the pre-local election campaign pledge on Ennis hospital that was doing the rounds. A raft of candidates couldn’t wait to sign the pledge to re-open a 24-hour ED at Ennis General but the unspoken fact at the time was that there is not a practical thing any councillor can do to bring this about. Therefore, the vote to increase the LPT by the maximum 15% in Clare is an interesting one. It gives the councillors more resources to get things done. This is the perfect time to dust off those manifestos from last May and see what services or local causes your councillor promised to do something about. With an extra €1.5 million in the Clare County Council kitty, now is the time for local advocates to begin lobbying on the issues. Just be mindful that the Council is also restricted on what it can spend money on by central Government. Those councillors who exclaimed that they could not support an increase as it would undoubtedly hurt the squeezed middle should be looking at ways to alleviate the strain on those same said families. There are many great local charities and support groups that could do with the funding who deal directly with families in Clare who are experiencing hardship. A property tax is a wealth tax that hits those who have the most with the highest bills. Council tenants, those who received HAP assistance, private renters and the like should not be affected at all by this change. It is those who receive no State assistance, own their own home, yet are on the breadline struggling that are the ones councillors should be mindful of when looking to dish out discretion-
BIG DECISION: The property tax increase will add
ary funding. The huge success of our towns and villages at the Tidy Town awards should also be recognised with increased funding. There will also be festivals which generate much local economic activity in their locality which need support. The key thing for any cause or community to remember now though is; if you don’t ask, you may not receive. Approach your local elected representatives now and hold them to their words, whether they be the words of their election literature or those spoken during the recent Council debates. Lastly, I must once again give credit to each councillor that did speak at that debate. I believe they all made very valid points, regardless of whether they supported the motion. One voice that was not there was SF Councillor Mick McKee as he continues his recovery from illness. I wish him well in that regard. Not to have SF missing from the conversation, SF Clare PRO Peter Flannigan released what I must say is the most perplexing political press release I’ve seen in some time. In it, as covered by this paper, Flannigan calls out the local councillors for not reforming the tax system; something that is completely outside of the scope of their powers. He also calls for alternative taxation such as taxing wealth; failing to notice that property tax is one of the most common wealth taxes in the world. However, the thing that really got my attention was the cynical insult towards our councillors in Clare by insinuating cronyism on their part for voting in favour of the increase. What he fails to add is that Sinn Féin have elsewhere in the country voted to increase property tax themselves in such places like Waterford, one of the few councils where SF are still in control after this year’s elections. In a day and age of social media, it’s not a good idea to send out press releases accusing parties of cronyism in one county for doing something your party are doing in another. Politics needs to be above such stunts. There’s a smell of election in the air though, so I doubt this is the last of this kind of press release we’ll see from all parties in the coming months. One can hope though.
40 BUSINESS PROFILE
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
Blackbird fly – new jewellers STUART HOLLY
C
editor@clareecho.ie
LARE’S newest retail addition, Blackbird opened its doors to the public on Friday to great fanfare. The famous Beatles song of the same name states, “you were only waiting for this moment to arrive” and the same can be said for entrepreneur Katie Rogers, who fulfilled her dream of opening her own boutique after 13 years in the jewellery industry. Strengthening Ennis’s title of Ireland’s Boutique Town is this beautiful and elegant jewellery store based at Bank Place, which is inspired by the jewellery houses of New York City. Having spent 13 years working with Seoidín, Quin native Katie Rodgers said that when the unit was advertised to let, she took it as a sign. Visiting Katie for a sneak peek ahead of opening day, she told The Clare Echo, “It was literally the sign I was looking for – I saw the to-let sign and the minute I came in I knew it would work because of the high ceilings, I loved that. It was the first place I looked at and I knew the minute I came in it could be transformed,” begins Katie. “I had this store in my head. I used to go over to my sister in New York and a lot of jewellery stores looked like this, they were going with this more relaxed vibe – it wasn’t girls in suits and fitted cabinets – it was more free standing units and a little
bit more chilled but they were still selling gold and diamonds and I thought that would work in Ennis. I thought, at least it would be different because we do have 10-plus jewellery shops, so it would stand out a little bit and maybe put people at ease. “I think a lot of the time in a jewellery shop it can be off-putting. You go in, everything’s behind glass, especially for men, they’ve nothing to feel, nothing to touch, so I felt if we did a more chillaxed approach it might work.” Katie believes that despite the high volume of jewellers already in existence in Ennis, Blackbird will add to the shopp i n g experience here, adding that “competition is good and I think the more occupied units in town the better. I’d be hoping I’m offering something different, different products, different styles.” Katie is well-known to Ennis shoppers having been the face of Seoidín Eile on Abbey Street for the last decade.
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
ready to sparkle
Her solid grounding in the industry along with her popularity in the town will no doubt stand to her as she endeavours to build her own business. “I started working in Seoidin on O’Connell Street when I was 17 and I instantly loved it. I felt at home with the staff, the customers and the gorgeous jewellery. From day one I said I want to open my own store some day,” says Katie, a former Coláiste Mhuire student. “When I finished college I began running Seoidin Eile and I absolutely love it. It fulfilled the dream to a point but there is still this itch to take on the challenge of going out on your own, doing your own thing.” Katie got her first taste of working with the public as a teenager at Malachys Pub in Quin, where she realised she loved dealing with people. Speaking to The Clare Echo about her new venture, the Business & Event management graduate is now excited to be able to put her LIT degree to full use, even “all the accounts and things I didn’t like” she laughs. Admitting that the idea had been in her head for a long time, Katie said that she decided to take the plunge after 10 years flew by as an employee, “I genuinely did enjoy it – but I wasn’t fulfilled – I just said ‘Jesus time just goes so fast’.” Within six weeks of finishing her previous employment on August 10, Katie has managed to completely overhaul her Bank Place unit with the help of Edel Moloney from Missy Grey Interiors and carpenter Dónal Conheady. It now resembles with ease the downtown Manhattan jewellers that Katie’s vision was based upon. Having met the neighbours and put the finishing touches on her store which will sell candles and
lBLACKBIRD TAKES FLIGHT: Based in Bank Place, (top) Blackbird’s interior now sparkles of sophisticated downtown Manhattan glamour after being completely overhauled by Missy Grey Interiors and carpenter Dónal Conheady; (pictured above left) Katie Rogers has fulfilled her dream of opening her own boutique after over a decade in the jewellery industry
Photos by John Mangan
cards alongside the jewellery offering, Katie also paid tribute to her mother Mary for helping to guide her along the way. When asked if there’s anybody she turned to for advice in the process, Katie admits, “Definitely my Mom, Mary. She was great to vent to and gave a lot of tough love, she kept me going and was great with the bits I don’t like, filling out long forms and paperwork.” So what can customers expect when they walk through the doors of Blackbird? “I hope warmth,” says Katie. “They’ll get a nice warm welcome and good quality jewellery, price-point starting at €30 all the way up to €5-600, a wide variety basically. Little diamond rings or solid gold bracelets.” “As there is so many jewellery stores in Ennis I decided to head off and source something different and unique. I discovered a beautiful handmade range in Paris by Louise Hendricks, a gorgeous Danish brand Charlotte Lebeck along with some beautiful Irish designers Aria-V and Mo Muse. Another Irish brand to be added is By Leahy by a local girl Laoise Leahy. I wanted Blackbird to offer something new and different. Attending trades shows in Paris and London was new to me but I absolutely loved it.” With the doors finally open, Katie says, “I know the hard work is just beginning and survival in retail isn’t easy. I have taken a risk and there will be lots of obstacles and challenges ahead. This is what I’ve signed up for. But I’ve always believed if you are determined and work hard everything will work out.”
Blackbird at Bank Place, Ennis, is open Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm.
BUSINESS PROFILE 41
42 BUSINESS
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
BUSINESS
CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE
Double success for the Banner at National Q Mark Awards
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here was delight all round for the teams at Carrigoran House and Donnellan’s Centra, Loughville at a gala ceremony in Dublin’s Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road, where the winners of The National Q Mark Awards 2019 were announced. The highest accolade a business in Ireland can achieve, the National Q Mark Awards are given only to companies who reach peak standards of quality and excellence. At the black-tie event on Friday night, hosted by renowned broadcaster Jonathan Healy, Carrigoran House were pronounced as this year’s winners of The National Q Mark for Nursing Homes. Carrigoran House has been providing quality-driven, person-centered care to older people since 1974 when it was established by The Sisters of Charity of The Incarnate Word. Irene Collins, Managing Director of EIQA, the proud guardians of the Q Mark suite of Quality standards, congratulated the team: “Valerie and the team in Carrigoran House have some fantastic news to share with the residents and their families. This win is testament to the team’s efforts to provide a service level and quality of care standard that can be measured and audited easily, whilst having the capability to introduce
new policies, practices and procedures more effectively. Congratulations to everyone involved”. CEO, Valerie Vaughan said she was thrilled with the prize: “Every staff member, volunteer, resident and sister advocate should be so proud of this achievement and rightly so as they own it. Carrigoran House has been delivering quality care since the early 1970’s and has been continually evolving since that time into the care centre that it is today. Winning this award reinforces all we do and our commitment to ensuring we provide the best care possible that is underpinned by quality. We will continue to use every opportunity for improvement to provide a consistent quality service to our community of residents and their families”. Later in the ceremony, Donnellan’s Centra in Loughville was named as the winner in the Q Mark category for Hygiene and Food Safety - Recognised for Excellence, Retail. Donnellan’s Centra is a small, family-run business trading for the last 30 years and providing local employment. Irene Collins said: “With a proactive approach to managing food safety, it’s 3 Q Mark awards in a row for Edwina and the team in Donnellan’s Centra Loughville! Clearly demonstrating that when a team works together they truly
can achieve more”. Edwina herself said: “We are overwhelmed after receiving this award, it is a true reflection of the strong team of people in our business and a deserving award for everyone’s hard work over the years”. Donnellan’s Centra and fellow Clare winners Carrigoran House can now proudly display their new awards on their premises, to let customers and staff know that they’ve earned their place at the premium level of Irish enterprise. Almost 120 companies battled it out for the titles this year, in the drive to win one of what have become known as Ireland’s Oscars of business excellence. The winners of this year’s awards were selected from a list of more than 110 nominees, which was carefully scrutinised by a team of 14 judges from the worlds of enterprise, food safety, academia and more.
l WINNERS: Soraid McEntee, EIQA Quality and Operations Manager, Mary O’Dowd, Valerie Vaughan and Aine Higgins, from Carrigoran House (above) and Soraid McEntee, EIQA Quality and Operations Manager, Edwina Donnellan and Joan Donnellan from Donnellan’s Centra, Loughville Photos by Conor McCabe (below)
Mid West Regional Skills Forum workshop l TALKING SHOP: Mid West Regional Skills Forum in collaboration with Ennis Chamber and Clare County Council successfully hosted an employer upskilling event in partnership with further and higher education colleges. The event which was attended by local and regional employers included round table discussions to identify both current and future training needs to ensure employees have the necessary skills for the changing world of work. Clockwise from right: Colin Cummings, Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board ,Caroline Purcell and Patricia Haugh, Limerick & Clare Education &Training Board; Joe Leddin, Regional Skills Forum manager, Padraic Mc Elwee, Clare LEO, Gwen Culligan, President Ennis Chamber and Liam Conneally, Director Clare Co.Co; Michael Donnellan & Caterine Carlton, Chemifloc; Sarah Murphy & Ollie Ruane, MicroChip with Cillian Griffey, Shannon Chamber network manager. Photos by Mulcaire Photography
Caroline Dunlea of Core Optimisation – LEO Clare Client Company 1. Tell us about Core Optimisation and what you do? • “Core Optimisation, we are an award-winning performance digital marketing agency. We have offices in Ireland, in Shannon in the west and also in London in the UK. Basically, what we do is help business to grow their revenue online. We specialise in specific digital expertise. We would look at certain digital marketing techniques. We are a Google Premier Partner. It allows us direct access to all of Googles new tools, functionalities and where it makes sense to feed them into our clients. We work with our customers to identify what their business goals and objectives are and we will build a digital strategy and plan around that focusing on social advertising, search engine optimisation and conversion rate optimisation.” 2. Often many Digital Marketing Agencies are located in the capital hubs, what made you choose Clare? • “We are proud of the fact that we are one of Ireland’s best performing, independent digital marketing agencies and we are based in Clare. I’m from Shannon myself, I was born and raised here. It’s difficult competing against other agencies up in Dublin so when we see someone we want to work with us, we make sure to get them on board as quickly as possible. There is an attraction for people to come out here due to the soaring rent prices in Dublin.” 3. Your business is service based. Have you considered how Brexit will impact on your type of business? • “Everybody at this stage is considering the implications of Brexit but I think it is quite unclear in terms of how it will add up. I think
because we are service based, we are less likely to have the same level of negative impact as it would, if we were a product-based business. We have seen our UK business grow here over the year around Brexit. Whilst we are putting structures in place and we are aware there may be an impact particularly around currency fluctuation and we are in the service industry. It hasn’t up to today had a negative impact on us. It helps having an outside office in London. It definitely helps negate some of the impact. We will have to keep a close eye on any changes and react quickly as they come and I think building a team in the UK will be an important next step for us. Travel will become a little more restricted in the short term but I don’t think there is anything we can’t overcome in the service industry.” 4. I understand you have a UK office. How will you manage UK contracts and data management in the event of a no deal Brexit? • “In the same way that we do today, we are making plans to open a UK bank account so that everything will be housed within the UK and managed by the UK company. We will continue with our existing processes and controls that we have within the UK office.” 5. Have you availed of any Local Enterprise Office or other Government supports to prepare for Brexit? • “We have used the Local Enterprise Office Brexit Mentor Programme which really ensures that we are reviewing all avenues of the business that could be impacted before October 31st. That is helping us as well to look at where there are opportunities and we
all need to harness the power of opportunity. It’s helping us stand back and say, “well ok, even if our UK market is impacted, are there other markets in Europe where there is opportunity within.” One of the areas that we are looking in at the moment is Portugal. Due to the fact that we work quite heavily in the hospitality industry, Portugal is growing considerably within that space. The Local Enterprise Office and their Mentor Programme has helped us identify some of those opportunities. “ 6. Where do you see the future for Core Optimisation? • “Hopefully our existing business continues to grow whilst we keep an eye on new markets for example Portugal. Add additional services in 2020 and start diversifying as we break into new markets. Digital changes happen quickly, and I suppose our space changes really fast so it’s important for us to stay close to changes that are happening. Staying innovative and cutting edge will continue to open new opportunities for us. One of the strengths we have is having that premier partner status with Google and that will help us with our pillar of growth going forward.”
44 BUSINESS
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
St Francis donate Clare man is major to Inch National shareholder at Kfm PÁRAIC McMAHON
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paraic@clareecho.ie
l SUPPORT: St Francis Credit Union recently presented a sponsorship cheque to Conor McKenna, Principal of Inch National School. The sponsorship is part of the Social and Cultural Fund designed to support the community in Co Clare.
nnis native Clem Ryan is now the joint majority shareholder of radio station Kfm. Alongside fellow radio executive, Sean Ashmore, they now possess a 96% share of the station, 48% each in a deal which was confirmed this week. Managing Director of the National Ploughing Championships Anne Mae McHugh who is Chairperson of the shareholders completes the remaining 4%. Both Ryan and Ashmore were founders of Kfm which launched in 2004. Their latest move came as several shareholders departed the group to pursue their core business interests. The current transaction valued the station at over €3 million. A past pupil of Ennis CBS, Clem moved to Clarecastle at an early age and proceeded to line out with the Magpies at all levels in hurling and football in the 1970s. Upon graduation from NUIG, he began working as a secondary school teacher in Athy. He returns home to Clare on most weekends and calls himself a proud Banner supporter. In the early days of local radio, he became Sports Editor of CKR FM broadcasting in Carlow and Kildare. Ten years on, in 2000 he left the station as RTÉ came calling for him to come on board as a
sports reporter and commentator where he stayed until 2009 with the ever-increasing workload of his Kfm commitments influencing his exit. Ryan won a GAA McNamee Award in 1998, an FAI communications award in 2011 and a Justice Media Ireland Local Radio Award in 2015. On top of his role as CEO of Kfm, he presents Kildare Today. Already, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has given prior approval to the purchase which Clem described to The Clare Echo as “an unmissable opportunity”. “Kfm’s presence in the vibrant Greater Dublin Commuter Belt makes it one of the most attractive investment opportunities in this sector of the Irish media today. This investment is a great vote of confidence in Kfm, combined with the business expertise of Kfm company chairperson Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Championships, which makes for a dynamic operation. We are looking forward to building on our station’s success long into the future.” Clare FM Managing Director Liam O’Shea in 2009, led a group of investors who attempted to buy 55% of shares in the station but l CLEM RYAN the deal never concluded.
Students launch Enterprise Programme CLARE students get the 2019-20 Student Enterprise Programme underway at three Induction Days across the County Sixteen schools from County Clare attended the first event of the 2019-20 Student Enterprise Programme at induction days in the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point and Tracey’s West County Hotel, Ennis. Over 800 Clare students will represent their schools during the course of the programme that culminates in a National Final at Croke Park on May 1, 2020. The Student Enterprise Programme is an initiative run by the Network of Local Enterprise Offices of Ireland. It’s this country’s largest and most successful student enterprise programme, with over 26,000 second level students taking part each year. Aimed at developing students’ business acumen and entrepreneurial skills, the eight month programme focuses 1st to 6th year secondary students on initiating a business idea, developing their sales and marketing skills and formulating an effective business plan that will yield results in a modern business environment. Padraic McElwee, Head of Local Enterprise commented, “Regarding the induction days, these are important for students as it gives them a comprehensive outline and focus on what is required for the competition. It also gives students the opportunity to brainstorm some ideas and have a think about the different roles required within their team”. The day also offers some useful insight in relation to the programme from Theresa Mulvihill, Student Enterprise Coordinator. Students also get to hear from an experienced judge so they are well prepared for how to impress at the County Final and received great tips on how to include sustainability into their business from Sean Torpey, Torpey Hurleys and Adrian Fleming of Accuvio gave the students an informative account of life as an entrepreneur. Two new programmes will run for the first time during this year’s Student Enterprise Programme; ‘My Entrepreneurial Journey’ is a new pilot programme aimed at individual 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year students where they must imagine a future where they have set up a business and been on an entrepreneurial journey. Running alongside this will be ‘Creative Business Idea Award’ - a new pilot programme aimed at Senior Cycle students and promotes the LEOs focus on driving innovative and creative business thinking. Students enter this competition as individuals and the theme of the award will change year to year. This year, the theme is ‘Go Green; Be Sustainable’. www.studententerprise.ie
l READY FOR ACTION: Launching Local Enterprise Office Student Enterprise Programme 2019 at The Armada Hotel Spanish Point was Declan Meaney, Local Enterprise Office Clare, with students from Ennistymon Vocational School. Photo by Arthur Ellis
Property
Beautiful homes all over the County
Average Clare house prices fall 2.7% in past three months
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HE price of the average three-bed semi in County Clare has fallen by 2.7% in the past three months according to the REA Average House Price Survey. The survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland's typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an up-to-date picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide to the close of last week. “We are beginning to see the market stagnating due to uncertainties,” said Liam Browne of REA Paddy Browne in Ennis. The average three-bed semi-detached house in Clare is currently on the market for €180,000, and time taken to sell has risen by a week this quarter to 10 weeks
overall. The average semi-detached house nationally now costs €235,009, the Q3 REA Average House Price Survey has found – a drop of 0.43% on the Q2 2019 figure of €236,028. The price of a three-bedroom semi in Dublin’s postal zones fell by an average of €4,500 in the past three months as Brexit uncertainty affects buyers. Three-bed semi-detached houses in Dublin city registered a third consecutive quarter fall (-1%) since the end of June and have decreased by -3.3% to €428,500 compared to September 2018. Prices also fell by 1% in the commuter counties in the past three months, with the average house now selling for €246,611 –
OPEN VIEWING THIS SATURDAY 5TH OCTOBER 11.00AM TO 11.30AM
17 CLOONBEG, SHANABALLA, ENNIS, CO. CLARE
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OPEN VIEWING THIS SATURDAY 5TH OCTOBER 11.45 AM TO 12.15PM
€200,000
ELEN Gallery Auctioneers and Valuers are delighted to bring this immaculate,bright, spacious family home to the market. This charming home is ideally located just off the main Lahinch Road in a quiet cul de sac close to the new Ennis by pass and is within walking distance of Ennis and all amenities. The property is presented in excellent condition throughout and is being offered for sale including many extras such as an extensive fitted kitchen including all appliances, feature fireplace in the living room, modern timber flooring in living room and hallway, tiled bathrooms, natural gas central heating, floored attic with stira access, private rear garden with patio area and overlooks a large open green area to the front. Viewing of this very fine family home is recommended. Contact: Helen Gallery, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis. Tel: 065 6829481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433
an annual fall of 0.7%. After a year of rises to June, agents are citing an uncertainty surrounding Brexit hampering viewing numbers. Prices in the country’s major cities outside Dublin – Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick – remained unchanged in the past three months. “The highest annual price increases (3.3%) were once again seen in the rest of the country’s towns which rose in selling price by an average of €5,000 in the past year and 0.36% in the past three months to €161,724,” said REA spokesperson Barry McDonald.
52 GARDEN VIEW, CLARECASTLE, ENNIS, CO. CLARE
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171,000
CARLOW
125,000
CAVAN
180,000
CLARE
176,000
CORK COUNTY
320,000
CORK CITY
99,000
DONEGAL
320,000
NORTH CO DUBLIN
412,000
SOUTH CO DUBLIN
(SEPTEMBER ‘19 VERSUS JUNE ‘19) 0.0% 0.0% -2.7% 1.1% 0.0%
4.2% -0.8% -1.7%
428,500
DUBLIN CITY
165,000
GALWAY COUNTY
0.0%
282,500
GALWAY CITY
0.0%
220,000
KERRY
0.0%
282,000
KILDARE
0.0%
213,500
KILKENNY
0.0%
-1.0%
198,000
LAOIS
123,500
LEITRIM
165,000
LIMERICK COUNTY
0.0%
200,000
LIMERICK CITY
0.0%
120,000
LONGFORD
200,000
LOUTH
160,000
MAYO
1.5% 0.8%
2.6% -2.4% 0.0%
237,500
MEATH
178,000
MONAGHAN
0.0%
180,000
OFFALY
0.0%
145,000
ROSCOMMON
132,500
SLIGO
171,250
-1.0%
1.8% 0.0%
TIPPERARY
0.7%
178,000 WATERFORD COUNTY
0.0%
215,000
WATERFORD CITY
0.0%
195,000
WESTMEATH
180,000
WEXFORD
284,200
WICKLOW
2.6% -2.7% -2.0%
BOOKINGS NOW BEEN TAKEN WITH HELEN GALLERY AUCTIONEERS AND VALUERS
€185,000
OCATED in the popular village of Clarecastle, in the housing development at Creggaaun na Hilla, 52 Garden View is ideally located within minutes walk of the village and just a stones throw from the interchange to the M17 & M18 to Galway, Limerick and Shannon International Airport No.52 is a bright, spacious well-proportioned family home which was built in 2007 and has been finished to an exceptional standard throughout boasting a fantastic open plan living space, with the living room, dining and kitchen interconnecting (L-shaped). The home extending further to the rear gardens via the patio doors from the dining area. The separate utility and downstairs WC complete the convenient downstairs living accommodation. On the first floor there are three double bedrooms, all with built in wardrobes (with the master having an en-suite) and a main bathroom. Contact: Helen Gallery, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis. Tel: 065 6829481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433
Average House Price Index September 2019
% INCREASES IN 3-BED SEMI PRICES COUNTY BY COUNTY
3 BALLYMACAULA VIEW, CAHERCALLA, ENNIS, CO CLARE
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€252,500
O.3 Ballymacaula View, is a bright spacious three bedroomed semi detached home in the exciting new development by M.Fitzgibbon Contractors in Cahercalla. This fabulous new home will immediately impress you with it's exceptional finish that has become synonymous with M. Fitzgibbon Contractors Ltd. Finishes include choices of well designed modern kitchens, quality timber flooring in the living room and bedrooms, tiled floors in the hallway, kitchen/dining. utility and bathroom, stylish fireplace with multi fuel stove in living room, walk in wardrobes in main bedroom, built in wardrobes in the other bedrooms, modern tiled bathrooms, underfloor heating on the ground floor, high output radiators on first floor and much more. Contact: Helen Gallery, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis. Tel: 065 6829481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433
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LE SA REED AG
184 ACHA BHILE, LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 K409
€119,000
Positioned on the first floor and boasting a corner site position is this bright and spacious two bedroom (doubles) first floor apartment with private access in the Acha Bhile Housing Development. Excellent opportunity to get on the property ladder in Ennis.
APT 67 MILL HOUSE, MILL ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 RW83
€95,000
Number 67 Mill House is a two-bedroom penthouse apartment located in the heart of Ennis Town Centre. Offered to the market in good order throughout, the bright spacious apartment has panoramic views over the River Fergus and Ennis Town.
77 CAHERCALLA ESTATE, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 NWK7
€169,000
Fronting on to the vast green area of Cahercalla Estate and onto the main Kilrush Road, No 77 is a bright and spacious three-bedroom semidetached family home presented for sale in excellent condition throughout.
LE SA REED AG
47 HAZELWOOD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 NH2Y
€169,000
Conveniently located in the Hazelwood Development just 300 meters from St. Flannan's College, 700 meters from the Ennis Bus and Rail and just 1,200 meters to Ennis Town Centre, this bright and spacious 3 bedroomed semidetached family home is presented for sale in excellent condition throughout.
41 THE HAWTHORNS, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 C5H0
€169,950
The Hawthorns is a three bedroom family home conveniently located on the Limerick Road, within walking distance of all local and town amenities and offering excellent access to transport links via the M18 linking Shannon, Galway and Limerick.
€189,000
Located in the popular and much sought-after town centre housing development of Ros an Oir, No. 7 is a three-bedroom, 2-bathroom semidetached home tastefully decorated throughout with all amenities on your doorstep.
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LE SA REED AG
5 BALLYMONEEN, CAPPAHARD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 N2K5
7 ROS AN OIR, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 TFN0
€169,000
Fronting on to the green area of Cappahard and linked at the single storey section of the property, No. 5 Ballymoneen makes for an ideal family or first-time buyer home. The property offers well-proportioned accommodation throughout with a rare feature of all 4 bedrooms as double rooms with the Master Bedroom being en suite with walk-in wardrobe.
2 SHANACLOON, LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 Y2D9
€195,000
Located in the popular Shanballa Housing Development, just off the Lahinch Road, and within a cul de sac of just 8 private family homes, fronting onto an approximately 0.5 acre green area, this three bedroom semidetached home offers accommodation normally reserved for countryside living with all amenities on your doorstep.
12 GLENSHEEN, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 C5P2
€199,000
Positioned on an extended corner site in the Glensheen housing development, conveniently located within walking distance of all local and town amenities and just 800 metres to the Lees Road Sports Complex No 12 is a four-bedroom semidetached property presented in excellent condition throughout.
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39 DERRYMORE, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 K3CE
€199,000
Located in the much sought after exclusive development of Derrymore, No 39 is a three bedroom semidetached home presented for sale in excellent condition throughout boasting spacious and well-proportioned living accommodation with each room finished to a high specification.
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20 LISSANISKA, LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 A2T3
€199,000
Positioned on an extended corner site and fronting onto the green area, boasting extensive rear gardens which are not overlooked, No. 20 Lissaniska is a bright and spacious 3 bedroomed semidetached family home presented for sale in excellent condition throughout boasting many features.
€199,000
Located in the much sought after residential estate of Woodlands, No. 8 is a four bedroom linked home in immaculate condition throughout. Just 10 minutes walk to Ennis town centre, 2 minutes drive to the west link to the Ennis by-pass, 10 minutes walk to the Ennis National School.
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26 CREGAUN, TOBARTEASCAIN, €199,000 ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 DHD6
3 GLENINA, HAZEL LANE, GORT ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 V6HD
Located in the much sought after and popular residential area of Tobarteascain, within walking distance of all town centre amenities, Number 26 is a bright, spacious and well-proportioned 4-bedroom semi-detached family home presented for sale in very good condition throughout.
Number 3 is a bright, spacious, well-proportioned and nicely presented detached four-bedroom home boasting a fantastic location just a short stroll to all local and town amenities and set on a stunning private site with private access off Hazel Lane.
LE ED A S RE AG
8 WOODLANDS, KILRUSH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 AK2K
€209,000
1 AHERNES TERRACE, CARMODY STREET, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 TVH2
€145,000
Not often does a house on Aherne's Terrace come to the market and in particular one that boasts a corner site with private gated side access providing ample off-street parking and leading to extensive gardens that are normally reserved for countryside living. This four-bedroom home is a must view.
LE ED A S RE AG
18 ST SENANS ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 F9PP
33 LEIM AN BHRADAIN, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 YP76
1 BALLAGHBOY, DOORA, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 F8Y6
Located on the very much sought after St Senan's Road, one of Ennis's more mature and desirable residential areas within a short stroll of all town amenities. Number 18 has the added advantage of boasting an extended side site which currently facilitates an adjoining garage and storage sheds.
No. 33 is a fantastic bright two bedroom first floor apartment overlooking communal greens in the popular quiet development of Leim An Bhradain on the Gort Road in Ennis, Co. Clare. Located beside Lidl & The River Lodge Health Club the property offers easy access to Ennis Town Centre with the M18 Galway Limerick motorway within a short driving distance.
11 -11.30 AM SATURDAY 5TH Located just off the Ennis to Quin Road, this single storey three bedroom home has been tastefully modernised by the current owners and is located in a highly sought after residential location.
€265,000
OPEN VIEWING
4 LIOS ARD, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 FKH2
€199,000
Located within the popular Lios Ard Housing development on the main Tulla Road, No. 4 is a three bedroom family home in turn key condition fronting on to the landscaped green area and boasting a private rear garden.
28 THE MAPLES, OAKLEIGH WOOD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 DDF7
€295,000
17 GORT LEAMHAN, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 E39E
€260,000
Located in the popular Oakleigh Wood Development in the much sought after Tulla Road, No. 28 is a very well presented five bedroomed detached home positioned on a corner site and within walking distance of all local amenities. The property is impeccably maintained and tastefully finished to modern standards.
Located in the much sought after Tulla Road and the equally sought after cul de sac estate of Gort Leamhan, Number 17 is a five-bedroom semidetached home and benefits from an excellent position within the development on a near corner site.
2 CAHERCALLA WOODS, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 C2F4
€500,000
14 LAGHTAGOONA, COROFIN, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 PH99
€279,950
Set on a mature woodland site in the enviable location of Cahercalla Woods, No. 2 extends to 3,000 sqft. This detached four bedroom home offers the ultimate executive style living accommodation.
No. 14 is a four bedroom, detached, executive style home with immaculately manicured gardens on large corner site finished to an exceptional standard throughout. This stunning property is situated in an award-winning development on the edge of Corofin Village, just 15 minutes from Ennis and thirty minutes from Shannon.
er d Un ffer O
CAHERCALLA ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 DT1W
€370,000
Located in the very much sought after and affluent suburb known as Cahercalla Road, this substantial 4 bedroom detached two storey residence is a rare gem to come to the market in this very exclusive area. On a site extending to approx. 0.4 acres, the mature tree bound site features the mature trees, raised decking, lawn areas to front and side.
r de r n U ffe O
RINEEN HOUSE, BALLYHANNON, QUIN, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 W298
10 ORCHARD WOOD, DROMOLAND, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 EK71
€445,000
No. 10 Orchard Wood is a detached three bedroom luxury home located within the grounds of the 5 Star Dromoland Castle Estate & Country Club. Watch our video walkthrough on http://www.dngosullivanhurley.com/
LE SA REED AG
€575,000
Private detached seven-bedroom home set on a large two-acre site approached by long meandering driveway with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. The outside grounds are approached by a pea gravel drive way with manicured gardens to either side and mature hedging to the front and to the side with post and rail fencing.
11 SILVERGROVE, BALLYBEG, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 A2CE
€500,000
Positioned on a stunning corner site and boundaries on three sides by mature forestry this stunning property is located to the rear of the Silvergrove exclusive development of detached homes. Set on a site of approximately 0.75 acre this stunning 5-bedroom detached family has bright, spacious and well proportioned living accommodation.
Talk to Clare's leading Property Team
CASTLEVIEW B & B, LAHINCH
€479,000
This substantial property features seven double bedrooms (all ensuite) and is superbly located on the main approach road to Lahinch. Located on a beautiful elevated site with exquisite views of the Castle Golf Course.
OFFICES & GYM, 1ST FLOOR, ROSLEVAN FORMER OUR LADYS HOSPITAL, ENNIS
€850,000
Prime town centre development site, extending to 16.65 acres, zoned commercial with excellent access to M18 motorway.
BER: Exempt
PRICE ON APPLICATION
Spacious office space of approx.. 4000 SQ FT fully fitted out to the highest standard with another 2,000 SQ FT available if required. Office space is currently divided into a large number of individual offices, gym, meeting rooms, consultation rooms and male & female W.C's.
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44 ABBEY STREET, ENNIS
€300,000
It is a rare opportunity to have such an outstanding town centre property come to the Ennis market and in particular one that offers enormous potential in one the last remaining substantial sites on Abbey Street. BER: Exempt
CHILDERS ROAD FOOD STORE, ENNIS
€199,000
Xl shop and takeaway with residential accommodation and separate one bedroom apartment. Excellent opportunity to acquire a business with residential accommodation in a central location.
BURREN COURT, BALLYVAUGHAN
€800,000
Excellent investment opportunity, eight individual two bedroom units, a one bedroom apartment, separate cottage and a communal area located on the stunning Wild Atlantic Way. Nestled in the heart of the world famous Burren region this property is within striking distance of the Cliffs of Moher and the Aillwee Caves.
THE MAGPIE BAR, CLARECASTLE
€130,000
Licenced premises with overhead residential accommodation located in the heart of Clarecastle village. BER: Public House E1 1st Floor accommodation G
EchoSport Cratloe cruise to win as Crusheen crumble SNR HURLING CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SF
A
CRATLEO 3-24 CRUSHEEN 2-12, CUSACK PARK
COMMANDING second half from Cratloe saw them set up a county final date with their neighbours Sixmilebridge, Páraic McMahon reports. Not one spectator in Cusack Park would have predicted a 15 point win during half-time conversations; the result may not have been a major shock but the nature of it most definitely was. Cratloe outscored their opponents 3-17 2-02 in the second half, Rian Considine and Cathal McInerney raising the green flags. Considine who was the standout player of last year’s club campaign as they reached the county final, has been a member of the county panel this year but delivered his best half hour of the year in a timely manner. Crusheen’s second half was most uncharacteristic. They didn’t showcase the fight that has been part and parcel of their displays for the past decade and a half. Although they responded immediately to Considine’s first goal, his second was the blow they would not recover from. In the opening stages, Alan Neville’s Cratloe started the better with four points on the trot. Crusheen when they did settle took control adding nine of the next ten scores. Both sides demonstrated good link play with a Cathal McInerney cross-field pass finding Diarmuid Ryan for his first score and Cilléin Mullins teeing up Paddy Vaughan to reply at the other end. The exchange would be the final scores of the half as the men in red led 0-10 0-07. What transpired in the second half was a Cratloe bolt from the blue. With 16 seconds played, Rian Considine struck past Donal Tuohy, a Conor McGrath delivery was superbly controlled by the Harty Cup winner who jinked right and left before slotting home. Straight away, Éanna McMahon replied up the field but the 2014 double champions bit back with 1-07 in the space of nine minutes. Ross Hayes popped over a free which was the second score of the half for James Carrig’s men on 45 minutes. Cratloe again came back with seven points in as many minutes. Substitute Mark Perill and Hayes added consolation goals for Crusheen but McInerney got away from Cathal Dillon to tap home their third goal. Having scored nine points from play in this year’s campaign for the Blood and Bandages, the fact that Jamie Fitzgibbon was kept scoreless warrants credit for the Cratloe management in deploying Enda Boyce until injury ended his involvement and then Sean Chaplin on one of Crusheen’s key men. Both Fergus Kennedy and Conor O’Donnell had also been prominent throughout the championship but didn’t register a score due to monitoring from Diarmuid Ryan and Michael Hawes while the loss of Alan Brigdale was certainly felt in their defence. Getting to the last four was an achievement for Crusheen, they performed very well this year but will be disappointed to have finished on such a low note. Paddy Vaughan had their most amount of scores from play so the decision to substitute him was a surprise, even though the game was over at that juncture. Most definitely, James Carrig has rejuvenated the side during his tenure. Scorers Cratloe: R Considine (2-03), B Connors (0-06 5f), C McInerney (1-01), S Gleeson (0-04 3f), C McGrath (0-03), P Collins (0-03), D Ryan (0-02), L Markham (0-01), S Collins (0-01). Scorers Crusheen: R Hayes (1-06 1-05f 1’65), P Vaughan (0-03), M Perill (1-00), É McMahon (0-02), B Horner (0-01), C O’Doherty (0-01). Cratloe: Gearoid Ryan; Martin Oige Murphy, Michael Hawes, Shane O’Leary; Damian Browne, Diarmuid Ryan, Liam Markham; Conor McGrath, Enda Boyce; Shane Gleeson, Billy Connors, Sean Collins; Podge Collins, Cathal McInerney, Rian Considine. Subs: Sean Chaplin for Boyce (30), David Collins for Gleeson (51), Jack McInerney for Connors (54), Kevin Danaher for C McInerney (59), Aaron Costigan for McGrath (60). Crusheen: Donal Tuohy, Gavin O’Brien, Cathal Dillon, John Brigdale; Tadhg Dean, Cian Dillon, Ciaran O’Doherty; Jamie Fitzgibbon, Ross Hayes, Éanna McMahon; Cilléin Mullins, Fergus Kennedy, Paddy Vaughan; Breffni Horner, Conor O’Donnell. Subs: Luke Hayes for O’Brien (43), Mark Perrill for Mullins (52), Sean Mhaoir for Vaughan (52), Darragh O’Doherty for Kennedy (52). Referee: Niall Malone (Éire Óg).
l ON THE MARCH: Conor McGrath in control for Cratloe against Crusheen at the weekend
Photo by Gerard O’Neill
Bridge back in final SNR HURLING CHAMPSHIP’ SF SIXMILEBRIDGE 0-18 INAGH/KILNAMONA 0-15, CUSACK PK
S
IXMILEBRIDGE outscored Inagh/Kilnamona nine points to two in the final quarter to secure a place in the Clare SHC final, writes Páraic McMahon. It wasn’t until the 52nd minute that Sixmilebridge took the lead for the first time but once they got their noses in front, they were never going to relent. With a county final appearance to come in two weeks, it means The Bridge will have contested every senior decider this decade in a year ending in an odd number. Although their eight wides was less than Sixmilebridge’s nine, it was Inagh/Kilnamona’s first-half showing in which they were in control but only led by one point at the interval that played a significant part in their undoing. During the opening half, the Combo did have a Niall Arthur goal disallowed, deemed a square ball. Three points in succession from the
beaten Clare Cup finalists via Aidan McCarthy and an Evan McNamara double seemed to suggest it may in fact be their day, an excellent long range effort from David Fitzgerald at the beginning of the half would have strengthened such a hypothesis. However McNamara’s second score would be the one to get Sixmilebridge going. Straight from Derek Fahy’s puckout, Jamie Shanahan raised a white flag with scores from Alex Morey, Shane Golden and Caimin Morey following. The final quarter saw The Combo outscored nine points to two. Sixty minutes separate the Tim Crowe managed and Davy Fitzgerald coached Sixmilebridge from a 14th Clare SHC title. This game, like the quarter-final saw them play nowhere near their potential but crucially they got over the line. In what was a strong team performance, Jamie Shanahan and Caimin Morey were most influential for the winners. Inagh/Kilnamona failed to make the most of the supply of ball into their for-
ward line. They definitely could have tested Sixmilebridge’s defence more and bar a Derek Fahy save from David Mescall on 14 minutes, they didn’t have a meaningful goal chance. Scorers Sixmilebridge: A Morey (0-09 7f 1’65), J Shanahan (0-04), J Loughnane (0-01), B Corry (001), E McInerney (0-01), C Morey (0-01), S Golden (0-01). Scorers Inagh/Kilnamona: N Arthur (0-04 2f), D Fitzgerald (0-03), A McCarthy (0-03), G Arthur (002), E McNamara (0-02), K Hehir (0-01 1f). Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy; Brian Carey, Barry Fitzpatrick, Noel Purcell; Pa Mulready, Caimin Morey, Seadna Morey; Shane Golden, Evan McInerney; Jason Loughnane, Jamie Shanahan, Conor Deasy; Cathal Malone, Alex Morey, Brian Corry Subs: Alan Mulready for Deasy (41), Paidí Fitzpatrick for McInerney (48), Niall Gilligan for Loughnane (52) Inagh/Kilnamona: Pa Kelly; Damien Lafferty, Sean Mahony, Keith White; Cian McInerney, Kevin Hehir, David Fitzgerald; Jason McCarthy, Conor Tierney; Evan McNamara, Gerry Arthur, Aidan McCarthy; Niall Arthur, David Mescall, James O’Halloran Subs:Tomás Kelly for Tierney (33), Gerry Coote for Mescall (53), Keelan Guyler for O’Halloran (58), Darren Cullinan for G Arthur (61), Brian Foudy for White (62) (Inj). Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)
SPORT
THURSDAY, OCT 3 2019
51
INTERMEDIATE SEMI FINAL ROUNDUP BEATEN quarter-finalists in 2018, Broadford have qualified for the Clare IHC final following a hard-fought four point win over neighbours Smith O’Briens, 2-18 to 2-14 at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge. This was Smith O’Briens fourth semi-final since 2014 and Broadford’s third in five years. The Killaloe side started brightly, being slight underdogs they needed to do so and remain in front for as long as possible, it lasted for twenty six minutes in the opening half and three in the second as an inevitable surge from their opponents followed. There was no goal for the first three quarters of the game but the final one saw four green flags. The first arriving from Donie Whelan when Darren Chaplin sent the sliotar in his direction and he tore through on goal. Keith Strich bundled the ball over the line at the other to cut the distance back to three
points. The next score was at the other end and it was Stiofain McMahon who billowed to the net, in their next attack, Tommy Reddan’s shot from a free eluded JC McMahon but the Killaloe club were unable to get another score with Taylor adding a placed ball to secure the four point win. In the other semi final, St Josephs Doora/ Barefield produced a remarkable comeback to force extra time and seal their place in the Clare IHC decider, winning 3-25 to 2-17 at Dr Daly Park, Tulla. For the second knockout game in a row, St Josephs Doora/Barefield had to fight through extra time and once again came out the right side. Unlike their quarter-final win over Tubber where they let a nine point lead slip, The Parish had to claw their way back from being ten points down in the second half to warrant extra time.
Ennis kick off campaign with bonus point win MUNSTER RUGBY DIVISION J3
DOUGLAS 19 ENNIS RFC 41, AT DOUGLAS RFC
I
N PERFECT conditions in Cork on Sunday, Ennis opened up their 2019/20 league campaign with a 41-19 demolition of Douglas. The home team took an early 7-0 lead after a defensive mix up let them through under the posts. Ennis rallied well after the sluggish
start and tries from Ronan O’Halloran and Harry Talty gave Ennis a 12-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Douglas capitalised on more hesitation in the Ennis defence to level up the match at 12 apiece but, in truth, Ennis were starting to dominate the game and it came
as no surprise when an Enda Galvin try on the stroke of half time pushed the score out to 19-12. Immediately upon the resumption, Mikey Lyons split the home defence to score the bonus point try and the result was never in doubt after that. Douglas were struggling to cope with the pace
Chipping - how to improve your strike
O
NE of the main reasons golfers struggle with their chipping is, they find it difficult to make a consistent clean contact with the ball before the clubhead strikes the ground. I’m going to discuss a relatively new method of chipping that will help you to improve the strike of every chip shot, even if you happen to strike the ground before the ball. The most common issue is golfers hit their chip shot heavy because they strike the ground first and the leading edge of the wedge digs into the ground before the face strikes the ball. If you are a golfer that hits the ball heavy sometimes then you can improve your strike by moving the ball position forward or you can try using a wedge with a higher bounce, however I’m going to discuss with you a new modern technique you can use to prevent hitting chip shots heavy in the future. Instead of resting the sole of your wedge perfectly flat on the ground, try standing closer to the ball and hold your hands up higher than normal until the toe of your wedge is resting on the ground and the heel of your wedge is now off the ground (As seen in the attached image). With this method even if you strike the ground before the ball the clubface won’t dig into the ground, instead it will bounce off the ground be-
cause there is far less of the leading edge exposed to the turf. With this method you are going to strike the ball off the toe of the clubface and we all know when you strike the ball from the toe you lose ball speed and distance. This isn’t ideal for a full golf shot but perfect for a short chip shot. You can afford to be more aggressive then and accelerate through the ball and not worry the ball will fly as far. I’ve only recently tried this myself and I have found that the ball stops much faster when you play the ball towards the toe of your wedges compared to the centre of the clubface. Even if you are a very good chipper I would still give this technique a try. Especially when you have a fast downhill chip and you need to land the ball softly on to the green playing from the toe of the club creates a softer landing and also lifting the heel of the wedge up off the ground does help get rid of that dreaded heavy contact. With this technique you must however aim slightly left of your target at address because when the heel of the club is off the ground the face of the club is now going to be aiming more to the right for a right handed golfer (pictured right). Also if you do strike the ground slightly before the ball then your face will also open up through impact and your ball will then start further to the right. So whether you struggle with chipping or not I urge you to give this a try. Even if you are good at chipping, I guarantee if you practice this method you will definitely use it at some point when you see how consistent your chipping will become.
and width of the Ennis attack and another try duly arrived on the hour mark as Cian Guilfoyle was set free down the blindside wing to make the score 31-12. Ennis rang the changes for the final quarter but their dominance continued and further tries from Enda Galvin and Stephen Dolan
PGA Golf Professional
rounded off the win. Ennis play host to Killarney in Drumbiggle next Sunday at 14.30. Ennis: 15 Mike Lyons 14 Niall O’Loughlin 13 Mark Taylor 12 Ross O’Flaherty 11 Cian Guilfoyle 10 Sean Hayes 9 Ronan O’Halloran 8 Enda Galvin 7 Kelan Butler 6 Stephen Dolan 5 Colin Fitzgerald 4 Harry Talty 3 Jason Smith 2 Shane O’Grady 1 Adam Ryan Subs: Eldon Nolan, Luke Ryan, Morgan Garry, Niall Hannon, David Reynolds
#PadraigKnowsGolf
Padraig McGrath
GOLF ANALYSIS
The Scorecard in association with
KILRUSH GOLF CLUB Sun Sept 28/29 KGC 12 Hole Open Men’s Singles 1 Joe Linnane (14) 29 Back 9 2 Tom Clancy (7) 29 3 Tom O’Dea (35) 28 Wed Sept 25 Senior Men 1 A O’Connor, J McNeilis & N Thornton 2 T Cleary, B Coleman, TO’Dea & J Daly 3 M Fitzpatrick, M Ryan & B Murphy Sat Sept 28 Munster Past Lady Captain’s Singles 1 Mary McMahon (21) 31 pts 2 Bernie O’Dea (16) 30 pts Best Gross Valerie Shannon (6) 18 pts 3 Margaret McNamara (19) 28 pts 4 Siobhan Shanahan (14) 27 pts 5 Irene Neylon (20) 27 pts C1 Sinead Hegarty (18) 26 pts Back 9 C2 Mary O’Brien (21) 25 pts C3 Anne Hogan (31) 31 pts EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB Men’s Singles 1st Eoin Magill 39pts 2nd Jerry O Brien 36pts 3rd Bryan Tobin 35 pts Ladies Singles 1st Catherine Murphy 33pts 2nd Evelyn Skeethan 30pts 3rd Heather Cullen 29 pts Men’s Seniors Winners
Batt Skehan, Danny Minogue, Chris Davis, Willie Roche ENNIS GOLF CLUB Tuesday Fourball 24th Sept 2019 1st Johnny Kearse & Michael Torpey 28pts 2nd Alph Duggan & Mike Irwin 27pts 3rd Tom Woulfe & Peter Lyons 25pts Friday Open Singles 1st William Delaney (14) 38pts 2nd Rose Enright(27) 36pts Gross Cormac Walshe(3) Woodstock G.C 27pts 9 Hole open singles 1st Leo Herbert(11) 20pts 2nd Master Ronan Herbert(8) 19pts CSS = 68 Club Scramble Saturday 28th Sept 2019 1st Ken Morrissey, Steve Burns, Michael Kearney (44.5+2) 46.5 2nd Maureen Moloney, Conor Murphy, Johnny Mc Carthy 49.9 3rd Ann Dunne, Pat Rutherford, Eddie Glenny 50.5 Gent’s Hampers 2019 Sponsored by: RYAN’S CENTRA 28th & 29th Sept. 1st Cathal O’Neill(14) 38pts 2nd Cillian O’Connor(10) 38pts Gross: Kieran Fox(5) 75 gross 3rd Pat G Mc Inerney(13) 37pts 4th Joe Carmody(16) 37pts 5th Noel Kenny(12) 36pts
52
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QUIZ 55
THURSDAY, SEP 26 2019
The Clare Echo Quiz
M18 Motorway links Clare 1The with which County? a. Limerick b. Tipperary c. Galway
The Burren Beauty Drive in Clare 7 stretches for how many kilometres? a. 25km b. 48km c. 68km
and ____ town run along the Western Railway Corridor 2Ennis N18 primary road? 8The links Ennis to ____? a. Shannon b. Newmarket on Fergus c. Gort
a. Doolin b. Galway c. Kilkee
The N19 linking Shannon Airport many rail services link Ennis 3 to Limerick-Ennis-Galway comes 9How to Limerick daily? in the form of a ___? a. Motorway b. Dual Carriageway c. Regional Road
a. 20 b. 25 c. 30
National Road N68 within 4The Clare runs from Ennis to ____?
Which of the following Bus 10 Eireann services does not link Clare to Galway?
By Cian O’Broin
a. Stables b. Vaulted coal stores c. Oval windows
Ennis Outer ring Road is for6The mally known as? a. b. c.
The N85 Western Relief Road The N85 Relief Road The M18 Western Relief Bypass
Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences. The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.
ANSWERS
6. The N85 Western Relief Road 7. 68km 8. Galway 9. 20 10. 343
Every house on Bindon Street in 5 Ennis contain ____ from the early 18thc?
a. 343 b. 51 c. 350
l QUESTION 10 : Which of the following Bus Eireann services does not link Clare to Galway?
1. Galway 2. Gort 3. Dual Carriageway 4. Kilrush 5. Vaulted coal stores
a. Scariff b. Lahinch c. Kilrush
Last weeks Answers . Clare County Council logo missing . Nails on woman (right) different colour . Ring on woman (right) missing . Shadow missing from roof
. Window missing from background . flowers (right) different colour . Chimney in background (right) missing
Photo by Eamon Ward
Christmas Events
Santa’s Grotto €25 Arrives December 6th incl. booking T: +353 (0)65 686 9600 www.treacyswestcounty.com
25th October